Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Nottinghamshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are happy and make good progress, especially in their emotional health and well-being. Using memory books, they are able to remember special people in their lives and reflect positively on the progress they are making. They engage well in key work sessions and receive support from therapists, psychologists and other mental health workers. This helps them to understand their feelings and emotions. For some young people this has resulted in a significant reduction in self-harming. One member of staff commented that, ‘therapy is a special time for young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are also making progress in their education attendance and attainment. Increased support from staff and additional tutorials has enabled one young person to improve their reading levels significantly. Another, who was out of education for almost a year, is now preparing for her GCSE examinations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are increasingly involved in decisions about their care and the running of the home. This is because staff are making better use of key work sessions, and the regular house meetings have improved. The ‘you said, we did’ feedback forms show young people that their views are taken seriously and identify the actions taken in response to young people’s feedback.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, a fifth young person has been placed at this home. Having five young people has previously been an issue with a peak in incidents noted by the registered manager when the house was at full occupancy. This was also subject of a recommendation made at the last inspection. The decision to increase to five young people has been thoroughly considered and has involved the views of young people and staff. This has ensured a sense of joint responsibility for ensuring the continuing stability of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is a very calm environment where staff work well as a team providing warm and nurturing care. This is underpinned by the implementation of a psychological model recently adopted by the home to improve the care. This encourages a whole team approach and the use of reflective practice. Although a relatively new practice, it is already having a positive impact on the quality of care for young people and a reduction in negative behaviours. A social worker commented: ‘It has been a positive experience for her, giving her consistency and stability.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people become increasingly safe as they settle into the home. Excellent key worker practice has helped young people to understand their own safety. Risks such as absence from the home and exposure to sexual exploitation have reduced as a result. When asked on a scale of one to ten how safe she felt, one young person said: ‘I am a ten, staff keep me safe, I am not taking risks anymore, I am keeping myself safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team are committed to providing the very best care for young people and have high aspirations for them. Staff training is good and relevant to the needs of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A range of tools is effectively used to monitor the progress and behaviours of young people. Good communication with partners, such as education and mental health services, ensures that information is shared effectively and concerns are swiftly addressed. One social worker commented: ‘They work well with all the services involved with the young person. I would recommend this home to anyone else.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two recommendations from the previous inspection have been met, ensuring any increase in young people placed at the home is properly assessed and that the sleeping arrangements for staff are appropriate. There are no shortfalls identified as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for five young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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