Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Lincolnshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as Requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has Improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

To improve the quality and standards of care, three requirements and two recommendations were set at the last inspection. Although a relatively short time has elapsed between the two inspections, the home has met all the requirements and recommendations made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A newly introduced education folder holds all the essential educational information for each young person in placement. The range of documentation offers an accessible visual aid where such items as individual education plans, progress reports, attendance records and home-to-school liaison are recorded. It demonstrates good working relationships and support to maximise young people’s achievements. At the point of the last inspection, some young people were out of education and suitable structured activity was recommended to help regain confidence and support educational engagement. Staff have worked with young people and they are all now successfully engaged in full-time education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people participate in a range of activities and receive a weekly fund to pay for their interests. They can also save for bigger events, such as music concerts. Young people are not expected to pay any part of the staff’s costs, should they be required to be present during these activities. A member of staff has recently put together an ‘I’m bored’ activity folder. It offers young people information about local activities and those further afield. Its purpose is to encourage and support young people in identifying and engaging in activities outside the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The final requirement was to protect young people from hazardous waste. There is no hazardous waste on the site. The problems with drainage systems and foul smells were the result of poor maintenance. Competent contractors are currently engaged in replacing poorly fitted showers and pipework. It is expected that this will rectify the past problem, ensuring that young people experience a pleasant and efficient home environment. Since the last inspection, further improvements to the home have included fitting new carpets throughout, and a plan of redecoration is scheduled. Young people in placement generally speak positively about the care they receive. Some consider it home, and all agree it is a homely environment where they feel safe and protected. They can all identify staff with whom they have established good, trusting relationships and can talk to, should they have a concern or worry. These relationships have been a key factor in young people’s becoming

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

increasingly safe while living at the home. Staff support them to manage their own feelings and emotional turmoil, evidenced by the significant reduction in self- harming behaviour. One young person said: ‘I feel like I am wanted here, I feel valued, like I matter.’ Similarly, young people go missing considerably less and, when they do, they now maintain contact. Young people feel settled, their risks are reduced and their outcomes improved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Whilst young people report that staff are easy to talk to, and the home offers them a time to meet formally and discuss house matters at a weekly residents’ meeting, this inspection identified a shortfall in practice as, at times, these meetings become a place where staff allow house rules and negative behaviour to be the focus. This has resulted in the variable engagement of young people, with little input from them about the quality and their experience of care. Once it is sought, this input is likely to offer managers an opportunity to make continued improvements in the delivery of care and young people’s care experience.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make progress in this home. Some report that they, too, recognise the positive impact that the home has had on them: ‘I have changed, I used to look ill, now people say, this is the best I have seen you!’ Another young person said: ‘They are determined for us to get a good education, they support me.’ Another said: ‘I am calm here.’ While a positive impact is apparent, young people are aware of the complaints process and successfully raise matters that they are unhappy with. The organisation has recently implemented a new framework for monitoring and reporting on young people’s progress through their revised model of care. This tracking of progress and areas of vulnerability will inform the ongoing care planning for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Manager and staff work in partnership with external agencies to support progress and improve the experiences of young people. All young people are now engaged in formal education, with some young people receiving additional staff support in the classroom. There are good links between the home and the nurse for children in care. As the nurse is a regular visitor, young people have access to health advice as well as more formal health appointments. The home makes appropriate referrals to support agencies such as drug and alcohol services, and encourages young people in their engagement with this work. Managers and staff also work closely and effectively with safeguarding agencies, assuring the protection and safety of the young people placed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager recognises the staff team as a real strength of the home. It is a skilled staff team, offering young people a stable home life. Staff receive regular supervision. A recently implemented supervision framework offers the manager an improved monitoring structure. This ensures that all supervisions are undertaken on time and in line with organisational policy. Although staff undertake training, a shortfall is that a number of refresher courses are out of organisational timescale, so staff may not be working in line with current practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

No young people have joined the home since the last inspection, and one has moved on to semi-independent accommodation. The manager identified an appropriate resource, and staff worked with the young person over a four-week period to aid a smooth transition. Members of the household miss her, all young people have visited her in her new accommodation and staff continue to offer ongoing support. This effective and sensitive style of working has enabled the young person to move on successfully in her journey towards independence. It has also provided assurances of the young person’s well-being to the remaining young people in the home. This demonstrates how all young people are valued, considered and their welfare promoted.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private national provider of registered children’s services.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

18/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

15/01/2014 Interim Satisfactory progress

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s): Ensure that children be consulted regularly on their views about the home's care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. Children should be able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted upon. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 22 paragraph 4.11)

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Recommendations

Ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 53 paragraph 10.11)

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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. Any 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 . complaints about the inspection or the report should be made following the procedures set out in the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website:

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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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