Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services 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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to receive a good standard of individualised care from a caring and skilled staff team, their behaviour improves and they continue to have very good, trusting relationships with staff. They take an active part in the running of the home and they feel listened to. A social worker told the inspector that she was ‘very impressed’ with the staff team and that she thinks this is one of the best children’s home’s she has been in. Progress in some areas though is variable.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection some young people were experiencing emotional difficulties due to family relationships that had an impact on their progress. Due to the support of staff and the ethos of ‘not giving up’ on them, young people have worked through this difficult period and are now in a much better position emotionally. Staff have reacted quickly to ensure access to specialist health services where there have been incidents of self-harm and the misuse of drugs. Consequently, young people are safer, more settled and have clear plans for their futures. A social worker commented that staff are strong advocates for young people, they ensure they get the right specialist services and they do not give up on young people. A young person told the inspector how much better things were for him, that this is home for him and he talked enthusiastically about his plans for further education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Most young people are engaging well in education and training tailored to their individualised needs and interests. Staff work closely with schools and colleges. This helps to ensure young people get the support they need and they can make progress and achieve their potential. However, some young people have recently refused to engage in any form of education or training despite the best efforts of staff and other agencies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some young people have embarked on independence programmes. They receive a weekly food budget and take responsibility for planning, shopping and preparing their meals. Some young people really enjoy cooking so are learning whilst having fun. They are also learning to budget in other areas, for example, they now receive their pocket money and activity money for the whole week and are helped to plan and cost out their activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s behaviour has generally improved which has resulted in them having more ‘free time’. This is risk assessed and regularly reviewed. Consequently, young people are gaining independence skills, becoming more confident and have the opportunity to make friends outside the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Positive behaviour is recognised and rewarded which is contributing to improved outcomes for young people. Key work sessions explore all incidents of unsafe and risk-taking behaviour that gives young people the opportunity to reflect on their actions. This helps them to change their behaviours. Restraint is rarely used and only ever as a last resort. Sanctions are imposed for inappropriate behaviours. A requirement was made at the last inspection to review the use of sanctions and their effectiveness. A review has been undertaken and some progress made but the majority of sanctions continue to be limited and mainly of a punitive rather than restorative nature.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people know the complaints procedure and know that their concerns and complaints will be taken seriously. Complaints are rare. Records show that complaints including allegations made against staff are dealt with promptly and effectively. All relevant agencies are informed and involved where necessary. These actions help to protect young people from the risk of harm and abuse.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care plans, risk assessments, and associated records are generally of a good standard. Records are now signed and dated and improvements have been made to individual risk assessments that addresses the recommendation and requirement made at the last inspection. However, the recording of some incidents of self-harm and fire setting has not always been robust and does not always provide a clear audit trail of events and actions taken. There is no evidence that these shortfalls have affected the care or safety of young people. However, failure to record incidents robustly and a lack of management oversight has the potential to affect the care and welfare of young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some communal areas are decorated and furnished to a good standard. However, this inspection identified a number of shortfalls in the standard of décor, cleanliness and safety of some areas. A lack of adequate monitoring by the whole staff team and delayed responses to maintenance issues have resulted in a poor and uncomfortable environment, in some areas. For example, some young people’s bedrooms let water in when it rains. The registered manager put in a maintenance request during this inspection and received confirmation that all minor repairs would be completed the following day. The registered provider has now prioritised the work and given a completion date to Ofsted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are learning to take responsibility to improve their independence skills in a range of areas. However, they need some support from staff regarding keeping their bedrooms to an acceptable standard of cleanliness. A number of the ensuite bathrooms were dirty and the shower cubicle doors had mould. Some new staff have been employed since the last inspection that addresses previous staffing shortfalls. New staff now receive mandatory training in a timely manner that ensures they have relevant training to meet the needs of young people. All staff have received training in self-harm and sexual exploitation which has improved their ability to provide safe care. These steps have addressed requirements made at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, the registered manager continues to spend quite a lot of time working on shift. Although this is commendable, this has hindered her ability to monitor practices including records. For example, staff have not always followed procedures in the recording of incidents and the management team have failed to identify these shortfalls. This hinders the monitoring of young people’s care and progress.

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Information about this children's home

This home is privately owned and provides care for four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

14/03/2014 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

12. The protection of children standard.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard the registered person must ensure:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 31 March 2016

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Requirement Due date

13. The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must:

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Requirement Due date

(2)(h) ensure that monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home are robust and effective. 31 March 2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. This is with specific reference to ensuring that all incidents of unsafe behaviours are recorded; that there is a clear audit trail of incidents and that robust recording aids the monitoring of children’s safety. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 54, paragraph 10.20.)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that any sanctions used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 46, paragraph 9.38.)

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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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