Children's Home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Lincolnshire

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Good relationships that are both nurturing and supportive exist between the staff and young people. The staff understand the young people well, they spend time listening to them and provide warmth and encouragement. One young person said: ‘It is the adults that make it good, they are not just here for the money they are here to help you’. These positive and caring relationships provide a strong foundation from which young people continue to make good progress.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager and staff promote young people’s relationships with their families and those close to them. Direct contact takes place regularly and in accordance with the young person’s care plan. They overcome barriers posed by distance to ensure contact is taking place. Indirect contact through phone calls, cards and letters is well supported, and the registered manager endeavours to mark special family occasions, such as birthdays, with gifts and cards sent by the young person. These efforts are valued by the young people with one young person commenting upon contact with family: ‘It is the registered manager really, if it was not for her it would not happen, she tried to get it in place’. This demonstrates care practices that are based upon what is important for the young people. This leads to positive and caring relationships between young people and staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people take a pride in their home. The fabric of the house is homely, inviting and well maintained. Young people have personalised the home to their liking, their rooms are comfortable and reflects their likes and interests. Some young people have pets that they take good care of with the support of staff. Some young people enjoy cooking and baking which they find fun. This also results in a regular supply of scrumptious cakes. Overall, this leads to a relaxed and friendly environment with plenty of humour and positivity. The registered manager and staff value education and training. The young people are encouraged to maintain good attendance and encouraged to work hard. One young person remains on track to achieve good GCSE results in her forthcoming exams. This is due to her hard work and attendance at homework club, as well as actively seeking support from teachers to improve her chances of doing well. This

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

is a marked improvement because some young people who were previously struggling in education are now attending and making progress.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people have access to health care services and are registered with GP’s dentists and opticians. They continue to receive annual health assessments and receive advice regarding health matters from staff. The registered manager and staff do not, for some young people, have a full health history and this hampers them in completing health care plans that are robust. Some young people smoke. Staff have provided them with advice about stopping and have also engaged them in smoking prevention programmes. Young people have become increasingly safe through the registered manager and staff working well with local authority, police and other partner agencies. Information sharing is strong and effective; the police will visit regularly and ensure they know the young people at the home. The registered manager attends local groups organised by the police to prevent young people going missing. Prior to moving to this home young people have experienced going missing, been at risk

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

of sexual exploitation and involved in gang related activities. These risks have been reduced through good and consistent practice from staff who know the young people’s whereabouts and their friendship groups. Individual work with the young people is effective at reducing risk. This is done through education and raising awareness of how they place themselves in positions of danger.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people’s behaviours continues to improve. The manager and staff have developed a culture of positive praise, encouragement and reward for good behaviour. Poor behaviour is addressed through discussion, negotiation and compromise in the first instance. As a good parent would, staff will discuss with young people the reasons why sometimes they may have to make decisions the young person may not agree with. As a result, the staff group are strong and effective, implementing clear boundaries and young people understand what is expected of them regarding their behaviour. The registered manager and staff have had to use physical interventions since the last inspection. These were solely in relation to a period of several days were there was a significant dispute between some young people. Physical interventions were used to prevent harm taking place. They were proportionate, and procedures were followed correctly with good oversight by the registered manager. These incidents

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

raised concerns for the registered manager and staff over potential bullying within the group of young people. This led to robust action taking place, including individual work with the young people, meetings with them as a group, and awareness raising regarding the impact of bullying. As a result, relationships between the young people are improved; they now have a greater level of empathy and understanding of each other. Staff members are well supported, supervised and accountable in their work with young people. They receive regular professional supervision and good arrangements are in place to meet the developmental and training needs of staff. Staff members meet regularly and this supports them to share their ideas and views whilst ensuring they remain clear as to the tasks required in the home. Rigorous recruitment processes for new staff members ensures the risk of young people being harmed by those caring for them is reduced.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager in completing the review of the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises has omitted to consult and take the views of key agencies, including the police. This means she cannot have a clear understanding or knowledge of potential risks to young people from the surrounding area.

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to four girls with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The young people are aged between 10 and 18 years.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

02/12/2014 Interim improved effectiveness

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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

The registered person must when conducting the review of the premises must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(2)) 18/03/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The references to 'relevant plans' will include a looked-after child's 'individual health plan'. This is the information required about the looked-after child's health needs to be included in their care plan. (The guide to the Quality Standards, page 29, paragraph 7.2)

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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

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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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