Children's home run by Keys Education Ltd in Rossendale

This monitoring visit

This monitoring inspection followed a series of notifications to Ofsted relating to significant events in the home. The home was also judged to be inadequate at an inspection in July 2016. The requirements made at the last inspection are due to be completed by 25 September 2016. This inspection did not focus on these requirements. However, there are two further areas of regulatory shortfall identified as a result of this inspection. Medication arrangements are not wholly effective or always safe. An incident occurred while a young person was completing an off-site activity. Despite procedures requiring staff to ensure that medication is safely locked, away at all times, a young person was able to access stocks of their medication. This had the potential to significantly impact on the young person’s health and well-being. This incident was discussed with the acting manager and operations manager during the inspection. There are clear

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This monitoring visit

protocols in place for medication, which were not followed on this occasion. Appropriate actions are being taken to ensure that all staff follow safe procedures. However, a requirement has been made so that medication arrangements can be fully reviewed at the next inspection. A further incident occurred when a young person alleged that they had taken illegal drugs. A medical professional advised staff to temporarily withdraw prescribed medication in light of this allegation. However, no further advice was sought from medical professionals regarding the continued use of prescribed medication or any potential impact on the young person’s health. This means that there is potential for staff to be ill advised around the safe use of medication. Staffing levels are, overall, sufficient for the reduced number of young people in the home. There have been occasions since the last inspection when agency staff have had

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This monitoring visit

to work together without a core member of the home’s staff. This means that there is unfamiliarity for young people and a lack of consistency. This was a shortfall noted at the July 2016 inspection and continues to be an area of weakness. Inspectors spoke to young people as part of this inspection. Although young people are initially resistant to the home, and its offer of an outward-bound type package, young people’s challenging behaviour is reducing and there is some progress being made. Staff are encouraging young people to engage in favourable activities such as reading, cooking and shopping. This is in turn, developing relationships between staff and young people in the home. Inspectors also viewed an off-site location where young people are currently staying. This facility is well equipped for young people, appropriately furnished and maintained. No concerns about the physical environment of the home

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This monitoring visit

were noted during this inspection visit. Management arrangements have changed since the last inspection, with a further manager, a new deputy manager and an operations manager now based at the home. This has enabled the organisation to identify areas of shortfall and provide regular action plans to Ofsted. It is too early to fully evaluate the impact of these arrangements although it is clear that the organisation is allocating resources in an attempt to improve the service. Better arrangements for contacting managers in evening and weekend times are also in place. There is also a new system for ‘checking in’ with staff and young people who are off-site. As a result, the management of the home is now updated twice daily about all events happening off-site. This, in turn, ensures that any concerns are quickly identified and where appropriate acted upon.

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Information about this children's home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home runs a 12-week programme which focuses on engaging young people with activities. As part of the programme, young people spend periods of time away from the children’s home either camping or in bunkhouses.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

10. The health and well-being standard In order to meet the health and well-being standard the registered person must ensure that— (1)(b) children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being. 25/09/2016

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. (Regulation 23 (1)) 25/09/2016

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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 .

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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, 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, The

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Information about this inspection

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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