Children's home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Rossendale

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The care provided by the manager and staff team remains individualised and nurturing. The young people continue to feel safe, valued and welcome in this home. One young person said ‘I like it here, there is a member of staff I can talk to about anything. I enjoy cooking for everyone, horse-riding and going out into the local town’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager advocates well on behalf of young people when other services fall below expectations. Recently he negotiated the provision of a police video link as an alternative to a young person giving evidence in person at court. This alternative arrangement avoided unnecessary stress for the young person. The manager and staff team continue to work in partnership with specialist agencies including child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to support the care and emotional well-being of, the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported to attended education. Transport is provided and the staff work in partnership with education agencies to secure and maintain learning opportunities for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have experienced previous placement breakdowns, find stability here. Staff members understand risk and make effective judgements about balancing these risks with a need to allow young people some freedom and independence. Staff members are following the placing authority plans to prepare young people for a future move to live with foster carers.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager continues to regularly review the quality of care provided in the home. Improvements have been made to incorporate the findings of this review into development plans. As a result, the process is more purposeful in driving forward improvements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff member’s management of behaviour has improved. Since the previous inspection there is a move away from the use of sanctions and more use of rewards and praise to effect changes. This approach is more likely to encourage acceptable behaviour. The use of physical interventions are kept to a minimum. On two occasions the discussion with staff members following the use of physical intervention did not sufficiently identify where they could have used better de- escalation techniques before physically intervening.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members no longer routinely provide young people with take-away food on a regular basis. Educating young people on healthy eating is ongoing and some are choosing to spend their own money on unhealthy options. Fresh fruit and healthy snacks are always available to young people alongside freshly prepared meals.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members take complaints and potential safeguarding concerns seriously and pass them onto the appropriate authorities. The manager has recently received compliments from a local safeguarding board officer about the thoroughness of an internal investigation and the subsequent report. A comprehensive investigation was completed and as a result protects a young person’s welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One new member of staff has been employed since the previous inspection. Permanent staffing numbers remain below what is needed to provide for three residents. In the month prior to this inspection an additional ten staff, mostly agency staff were deployed to care for the young people. This provision does not promote the consistency which fosters positive relationships between care staff and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all staff working in the home receive the guidance and support needed to ensure they fulfil their role and responsibilities well. The frequency of supervision provided to staff members and agency workers falls short of the organisational policy.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff members continue to create a homely and well-maintained environment. Several areas have been re-decorated, new curtains were being fitted and new sofas have been ordered for the main lounge. The age of the building creates challenges and some repairs and maintenance take longer than is reasonable to complete. There is a long list of outstanding repairs which detracts from what is otherwise, suitable accommodation.

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Information about this children's home

The home is operated by a private national provider of education and social care for children and young people. It provides care and accommodation for up to three young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is situated in a very rural location and one car is provided. Young people can attend education within the company school or at external provision.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2015 CH - Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

15/01/2014 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

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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

13: The leadership and management standard:

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard with particular reference to staffing arrangements and the use of agency staff the registered provider must

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child; (e) ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child. 30/04/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. In particular this must include agency staff who work regular shifts in the home. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 30/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that any review of restraint, control and discipline includes opportunities for the staff involved to amend practice to ensure it meets the needs of each child (The Guide to the Quality Standards page 49, paragraph 9.59)

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the home provides a homely domestic environment. In particular that repairs and maintenance are completed without unnecessary delay. (The guide to the Quality Standards page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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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