Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Durham

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has been more settled and the registered manager and staff have made a number of clear improvements. There were four requirements made at the previous inspection. A requirement had been made to more carefully consider the impact of admissions on other young people and the risks involved. The registered manager has done this and this has contributed to the present settled environment. Concerns about children missing from home and risks of child sexual exploitation have been addressed effectively. As a result, there has been only one concern of this nature since the last inspection. This happened immediately after the last inspection and the young person was taken to a place of safety and discharged shortly after. This prompt action was appropriate. The number of missing from home incidents has significantly decreased. The incidents that have happened have been less serious and were dealt with well by the staff.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection three young people have been discharged and three young people have been admitted. Four young people have remained in placement since the last inspection. One of the three young people discharged had reached their eighteenth birthday and they moved on to independent living. This placement had been successful with the young person achieving well at college. The placements of the two other young people discharged were less positive outcomes. One young person was moved because staff were unable to keep her safe as described above. The other young person was moved nearer their home at their request. They had made some progress both in education and in dealing with their emotional difficulties. Some planning for young people moving to independence does not commence early enough, reducing the likelihood of a successful transition.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four young people have remained in placement and are all making steady progress. One of these young people has now reached the age of eighteen and has plans to move to a semi-independent setting in her home area shortly. The three young people who have moved in during this period have settled well.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the young people except one now attend school regularly at the separately registered school on the premises. This school has recently been inspected by Ofsted and been judged good. Young people attending make progress educationally and the education day includes alternative life skills classes as well as academic subjects.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home offers a highly structured environment with high levels of supervision. Young people build up levels of free time as they make progress. Most of the young people take advantage of additional support from external agencies in order to discuss their emotions and feelings. The staff also support young people to develop their life skills and independence skills. Young people make progress here. Several young people are preparing for independence by shopping, preparing food and cooking and cleaning for themselves. At the last inspection a requirement was made to improve the number of individual key work sessions and this has been done. The standard of recording has also been improved. Young people make steady progress and build confidence and resilience. A number of the young people were able to explain what they had learnt about sexual exploitation. Two of them had won a competition to design posters alerting people to this risk. Young people

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

are encouraged to participate in leisure activities away from the home and one young person does some voluntary work locally.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people have been kept safe. Supervision by staff is improved and greater efforts are made to ensure that any young person being absent without permission is returned to the home quickly. Very few physical interventions have been required and staff generally use positive incentives and rewards more than sanctions. Because the home operates high levels of supervision it means that the group of young people spend quite a lot of time in close proximity. This allows tensions to develop at times and there have been a number of less serious disruptions and incidents. Staff generally deal with these well. There have been several allegations made by young people against staff. None of these have been serious but all have been rigorously investigated and found to require no further action. Some less serious incidents of self-harm have been dealt with well by staff. Two complaints were received from neighbours alleging some loud and anti-social

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behaviour. The registered manager has engaged with the neighbours and this is an improving situation.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager offers strong leadership and monitors the standards of care and practice in the home well. Staff are supported well and offered appropriate training. There have been particular efforts to increase staff understanding of child sexual exploitation issues recently. She works well with placing authorities and other external agencies and professionals including local police. This promotes young people’s welfare and keeps them safe. In the period since the last inspection she has worked closely with the local police on safeguarding issues.

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered for the care and accommodation of up to eight children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD)

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.4

Recent inspection history

24/02/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that staff work with the placing authority to ensure that each child's transition is planned and help each child to prepare for leaving practically and emotionally. Specifically ensure that the planning process is started sufficiently early so that all arrangements are clear and appropriate. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 57 paragraph 11.9)

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

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

p.7