Children's home run by Keys Childcare Limited in Belfast

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

Since the last inspection the registered manager and staff have continued to provide individualised nurturing care to young people which is under pinned by research. This has resulted in exceptional progress and outcomes for all young people from their starting points.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people develop an appropriate sense of belonging and permanence. The registered manager and staff develop positive relationships with young people. They are skilled at understanding young people’s needs. They spend time with them; they are interested in them and their families and friends. Young people invest in the home with their achievements and photographs on displayed. Young people are able to talk about what is difficult for them and engage with staff and therapists to address previous abuse and trauma.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide clear boundaries and consistent care for young people which contributes to their sense of security. Staff are skilled in de-escalation techniques and physical intervention is not used frequently. When it is necessary staff support young people to understand why it has been necessary and the frequency reduces over time as young people develop improved self-regulation. Staff recognise when child protection procedures need to be instigated and respond swiftly informing all appropriate authorities as well as ensuring young people are protected. As a result, young people are safeguarded.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people feel safe and they all become increasingly safe as a result of staff’s actions to support and protect them. Staff provide strong and proactive responses to ensure that risks reduce. When young people go missing they provide a well- coordinated response working effectively with the police to minimise the time that young people are at risk of harm. Staff follow young people when they try to go missing, sometimes for hours, continuing their efforts to try to persuade them to return and keeping them within their sights. When young people do go missing staff search for them. They welcome them back and listen carefully to understand any risks they may have been exposed to. Staff work in partnership with local child sexual exploitation services to ensure that young people receive the best possible support to become safer. Young people make exceptional progress and the frequency of their missing reduces significantly. One young person said ‘I am not

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

running away. I have not run away for 2 months. I feel happier and settled here.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use research to inform their practice. Staff work effectively with therapists to assess and understand young people’s behaviour. They develop highly individualised behaviour management plans and clearly identified achievable goals. This ensures that young people receive consistent care which supports them to make tangible progress in developing emotional resilience. Staff promote contact with young people’s families and friends where that is safe and in their best interests. This maintains and develops their sense of identity. A family member said: ’She has come on so much, she was a wild child. The staff sit and talk to her, she sees a counsellor – they are doing all the right things.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress with their education. All young people attend school or college regularly and engage well. They are motivated to achieve academic qualifications to progress to college and apprenticeships. Staff work in partnership with education providers to ensure young people are supported to achieve their potential. The registered manager is proactive in championing young people’s education and staff support young people to make choices for their future courses and colleges. Young people attend youth clubs, support groups for looked after children and engage with leisure activities in the community such as trampolining, cinema, bowling and walking. This promotes their self-confidence and supports their selection of positive friendships.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a detailed understanding of young people’s care plans. She is generally robust in her implementation of their plans, supporting young people’s access to advocates and therapeutic interventions. The registered manager ensures that new admissions to the home are planned effectively with careful matching to the needs and behaviours of the current young people, as well as ensuring that staff can meet the new young person’s needs. She takes the time to visit the young person before they move in and to invite them to spend time in the home so that the transition is a positive experience for all young people. Staff quickly understand young people’s needs and wishes when they join the home and young people are able to engage with staff as a result. The registered manager is proactive in planning young people’s transition to independence so that they are practically and emotionally prepared to move on.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work effectively in partnership with professional stakeholders and families alike. This ensures that young people benefit from consistent and well-planned care. A social worker said:’ The communication is excellent.’ A family member explained:’ Staff let me know how she is, they are great. I’m happy.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has ensured that the previous recommendations have been met and there is clear evidence of her responses to young people’s wishes and requests. There is one shortfall in that a young person’s up to date care plan is not available in the home. The impact of this on the care provided has been mitigated as the registered manager has attended regular meetings and liaised frequently with the placing authority, including chasing up this crucial document.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care for five children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home forms part of a large social care company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/02/2015 CH - 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 maintain records for each child which include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to a child and are kept up to date (Regulation 36(1)(a-b)) 28/03/2016

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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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