Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Hampshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection and sustained effectiveness at the last visit, which was an interim 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 registered manager left the home at the end of August 2016. The new manager has been in post since the beginning of August, allowing for a handover in the intervening period. The home manager is currently in the process of applying to become registered with Ofsted. She had only been in charge of the home for less than a month when this inspection took place, meaning that she is still familiarising herself with the processes, records and procedures. The former registered manager made significant changes to practice and procedures within the home, resulting in young people benefiting from greater consistency in the quality of care they received and enjoying this in a much more homely environment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people currently live in the home, and both have been in their placement for a significant period of time. Their parents are pleased with the home, and commented positively on the care their sons receive and the progress they have made. For example, a parent commented on how their son can now go for a meal with them, and cope with sitting at the table, which he could never do before. Another is confident in staff’s skills to ensure that their son is prepared for the next stage of his life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have warm and caring relationships with the staff who look after and support them. Staff who are new to the home take time to get to know the young people to ensure that they are able to meet their needs effectively. Those who have worked in the home for a longer period have increased in confidence as a result of the nurture and guidance from the former manager. The current home manager is continuing to build on this to ensure that all staff have the skills they require to provide a warm and nurturing environment where young people continue to be challenged to learn new skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has begun his transition to adult services. He has had the opportunity to visit prospective new homes and is encouraged to share his views. The staff in the home have worked closely with the young person’s parents and adult social care in order to identify a suitable future placement. Where necessary, managers and staff have challenged the placing authority when it is felt that it has not acted at the required pace to meet the young person’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s demeanour and actions demonstrate that they feel safe in the home and are comfortable in the company of its staff. They seek staff to meet their physical and emotional needs, but also just to be in the same area as them. All safeguarding concerns are referred to partner agencies, although there has been a delay in notifying Ofsted of one investigation. Staff are confident in the processes to follow should they be concerned for a young person’s welfare, including whistle- blowing procedures. Staff’s consistent approach to behaviour management means that young people know what is expected of them and this leads to a limited use of restraint. A recent increase in incidents of unwanted behaviour has been analysed to determine how staff can best support the young people through the current changes, such as the manager moving on and the change in structure posed by the summer holidays. Natural consequences to actions ensure that young people learn

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

from their mistakes and can be supported to adapt to more socially acceptable responses for the future. Complaints since the last inspection have been thoroughly investigated, with changes made to practice as required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and recommendation set at the last inspection have been mostly met. Staff have benefited from training in e-safety to ensure that young people are protected from harm while accessing the internet. The use of the keypad for the front door has been assessed for both young people and is now included in their placement plans. The placing authority has also consented to its use as necessary in order to protect the young people. An evaluation of the service provided, in line with regulation 45, has also been completed and sent to Ofsted. The document demonstrated a sound level of evaluation and planning for future improvements to the quality of care and fabric of the building. The building has undergone a full redecoration and maintenance programme, including new bathrooms and carpet where previously institutional floor coverings were in place. The unsightly cupboards in the lounge have been painted and used as a base for a window seat.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people were seen making excellent use of this during this inspection. Young people have chosen the colours for their bedrooms and appear to enjoy spending time in them. The raised-bed vegetable and herb garden has been an overwhelming success. However, despite being renovated and redecorated, the main bathroom and ball-pool area still have excessive mould and mildew, and the lock to the upstairs toilet requires replacing as it cannot be opened easily from the outside, should a young person require assistance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home manager is currently devising an action plan, in conjunction with the development plan devised by the former registered manager. It is evident that there have been many improvements made since the last inspection, and the new manager is keen to build on this and improve the service and quality of care further. Reports in relation to regulation 44 are sound and provide a basis for evaluating the quality of care provided. The manager is keen to develop the relationship with the independent visitor, to further make use of the role of the critical friend. In addition, she is in the process of introducing herself to partner agencies, and forming sound links with them. Despite there having been a recent change in management, the quality of care for young people has not been adversely affected, and they continue to make good progress.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation. The company has four other homes in the local area in addition to others across the south of England. The home provides care and accommodation for up to four young people who have learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/09/2015 Full Requires improvement 29/12/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness 13/08/2014 Full Adequate

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard with reference to the standard of maintenance within the home, the registered person must ensure—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(d) that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. 28/10/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  The registered person should have a system in place so that all serious events are notified, within 24 hours, to the appropriate people. The system should cover the action that should be followed if the event arises at the weekend or on a public holiday. Notification must include details of the action taken by the home’s staff in response to the event. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.13)

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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 whom 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, work- based 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

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

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