Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good 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

Since the last inspection, there have been no changes in the young people living at the home; there have been no admissions or discharges. The registered manager has met the recommendations from the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make significant progress. They are now attending school and are achieving. Since the last inspection, some young people have attended college open days and have clear plans for their further education; they have aspirations for their futures. For one young person, their future plans are unclear after a college placement recently broke down. The registered manager is currently working with the placing authority to make clear, robust and appropriate plans for her future. In the interim, there is not a clear daily structure for her in which to progress educationally, recreationally or socially whilst her future plans are being discussed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

On the whole, young people are thriving. They are now engaged in clubs such as dance classes, horse riding and saxophone lessons. Young people say they have good relationships with each other and with staff. One young person said, ‘I feel safe here and I like all the staff. I don’t want anything to change here as I wouldn’t like it then’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, young people’s risk taking incidents have decreased. Staff speak openly to young people about any difficulties they are having. Staff help them to put strategies in to place to minimise risks, such as substance misuse and child sexual exploitation. Young people are now able to identify what makes them feel unsafe and discuss ways with staff to promote their sense of safety. Since the last inspection, some young people have started to engage in therapy. This is significant development. A social worker said, ‘my young person is now going to therapy sessions which she had refused to do. They have helped her do this. She hasn’t been ready to talk before. I would highly recommend this home’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager swiftly follows up on safeguarding incidents. She works with the police and designated officer to safeguard the young people. Staff learn from incidents such as missing, and put in appropriate boundaries to help keep young people safe. Incidents are low and this is testament to the relationships young people and staff have. It is these relationships which enable young people to progress as they feel cared for. Staff respond when young people confide in them regarding issues such as free time and self-harm. For example, they take them to the doctors and they actively chase referrals to child and adolescent mental health services. Partnership working continues to be a strength of the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Management oversight remains good. The registered manager is actively involved with the young people. She is child centred and advocates on their behalf. She is proactive in ensuring that placing authorities fulfil their duty to the young people in her care. She supports staff to maintain child focused practice through regular team meetings where any issues are discussed and new ways of working are implemented.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately owned children’s home registered to provide care for up to three 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

02/03/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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 young people continue with education until their 18th birthday. Young people can choose how to participate. This can be through full time education, an apprenticeship or traineeship, or by combining full-time employment with part-time education or training. Whilst the duty is on the young person themselves, it is important that children's homes' staff encourage the young person to continue their education or training and support them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the option they choose. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, Paragraph 5.16, page 28)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that children's homes staff should seek to identify and provide appropriate opportunities for children to develop themselves in accordance with their wishes and feelings and as part of the home's plan for their care. Each child's talents and interests should be understood and nurtured, with children selecting activities based on their personal preferences and abilities, so far as is reasonable. Staff should also support children to try activities that are 'new' for them, where appropriate. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, paragraph 6.4 page 31).

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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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