Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Durham

This monitoring visit

The monitoring visit was to inspect care practices in relation to issues and incidents highlighted by the local police service in an email to Ofsted on 5 August 2016. There were three specific concerns and some general concerns raised in the correspondence.  There were concerns about one young person who had been reported missing from the home a number of times in recent weeks  There were concerns about an assault by two of the young people on another of the young people  There were concerns that one young person had attempted to seriously harm themselves.  There were general concerns about the ability of the staff to maintain control of the group of young people and their skill level in dealing with some very challenging young people  There were concerns about the numbers of young people living at the home. The young person who has been reported missing a number of times in recent weeks has been living in the home for seven weeks and has gone missing five

p.2

This monitoring visit

times in this period. This is a substantial decrease in the number and frequency of incidents from their previous placement, and staff feel that they are making good progress. However, risks remain high when this young person is away from the home without permission. One young person has been assaulted by two others. This incident happened just outside the home when staff were present. Staff intervened, but the young person received some minor injuries. Staff brought this situation under control quickly, and all the young people returned to the home. Staff have subsequently dealt appropriately with the reporting of this incident and have taken steps to ensure closer supervision of all the young people. The police have been involved and are continuing to deal with this issue. Later the same night, one young person who was one of the perpetrators of the assault became upset over another issue and went to their bedroom. Staff checked

p.2

This monitoring visit

on them a few minutes later to find them trying to hurt themselves. Staff intervened immediately. The young person was not injured, but staff called an ambulance for a precautionary medical check. The young person was taken to hospital but was not treated other than spending time with a mental health professional. The more general concerns were looked at. The home operates with 18 full-time staff and had six staff on duty on the night in question, including senior staff. This is normal practice. Most of the staff are appropriately qualified and others are working towards their qualifications within the required timescale. Training of staff continues to be satisfactory. The home uses some agency staff to cover for sickness, but this is at a low level. The home has recently returned to full occupancy, with eight young people residing in the home. Although the home has struggled to cope with eight challenging young people in the past, it has had a

p.2

This monitoring visit

settled period since autumn 2015. The staff have involved the police on 15 occasions in the past three months, which is a small increase over the previous period. These occasions comprise seven missing-from-home incidents and eight other incidents of which the recent assault was by far the most serious. The monitoring visit found that regulations have not been breached, but it is clear that further action now needs to be taken to reduce the ongoing risks. Staff are working appropriately with placing authorities to review placements and to take any necessary action. Staff and managers are also looking closely at how they can reduce the number of incidents in which they have to involve the police in the future. No requirements or recommendations have been made at this inspection.

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.

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children's home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234 or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.5

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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.6

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.6