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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff set themselves high professional standards for the service that they provide for children and young people, as espoused in their watchwords of ‘patience, accountability, care and tenacity’.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observations made during the inspection, and comments given in Ofsted’s online survey, illustrate the calm but determined approach the team has to promoting children’s and young people’s well-being and safety. This applies to the care given to children and the support offered to families. One professional commented on a meeting where, ‘open hostility and rudeness’ were displayed, and where, ‘The manager dealt with the situation with extreme professionalism.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff are persistent in their efforts to promote children’s and young people’s achievements and to enhance their experiences of life. The team has developed goal planning for each resident and this is now well established in the ethos and practice of the home. Staff draw up targets for each child or young person in conjunction with other professionals, such as teachers and occupational therapists. These are written up with clear aims, steps towards achievement and recording formats that detail the level of support that staff have given. Members of staff spoken to were able to describe the particular goal plans for those children and young people they were working with. This level of attention has enabled children and young people to make progress in areas such as communication and tolerance of personal care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Careful observation is made of how a child or young person reacts in certain circumstances or to particular stimuli. Staff record and analyse these to identify what works well, or does not, and to do more of what a child or young person shows a preference for. For example, singing has been found to reduce one child’s anxiety, and another young person shows a preference for particular genres of music and workers take him to concerts where that style is played. Staff therefore provide care that is tailored to individual children’s preferences and go to great length to ascertain these.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff put a great deal of effort into widening children’s and young people’s experiences, regardless of ability, with particular regard to safety and planning for contingencies. This is illustrated by the following response to Ofsted’s online survey: ‘Staff will always look for ways to include individuals who have specific needs. An example of this was a trip to the theatre. Staff made enquiries to find train stations that allowed easy wheelchair access and locations of restrooms equipped with hoisting facilities. A backup plan was also made in the event of a train route or restroom being closed.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The nature of children’s and young people’s health conditions often result in medical emergencies and occasionally they may be life threatening. The manager has shown significant resourcefulness and leadership in assisting staff to manage the emotional impact of the work and to remain resilient. As a result, they are able to provide consistent and affectionate care to all the children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are periods when additional time has to be devoted to particular care needs. These may be unforeseen (such as an emergency admission) or expected (such as school holidays). Leaders and managers have not maintained normal monitoring and support functions under these circumstances. For example, the expected frequency of supervision sessions for staff has not been maintained. This was a concern at the last inspection and so the recommendation set then has been escalated to a requirement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has not maintained the supervision log or training matrix, so that neither were available to see during this inspection. The workforce plan that should govern these aspects of the home’s management has not yet been drawn up. This is now a requirement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Other areas of the manager’s development plan remain ‘in hand’ such as redrafting the young person’s guide and obtaining advocates for children and young people who have infrequent contact with family members.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

None of these shortfalls has had a direct, significant impact on the quality of care for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is making progress with the need to obtain specific training and assessment for staff to undertake particular healthcare tasks with individual children and young people. She has taken steps that mean that the home is on track to achieve compliance with guidance, but the recommendation remains. In addition, a proposed purpose-built sensory room has been brought closer to the stage where work can start.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff continue to work well with other agencies to meet the needs of children and young people. This is attested to by feedback from health and educational professionals, describing ‘good multi-agency working’. As a result, the best equipment for children and young people is sourced, consistent approaches to their care are implemented and the most beneficial means of supporting them with their physical needs are practised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Liaison has been particularly good regarding the care of a child who was subject to a child protection plan when admitted to the home. Staff have promptly and appropriately referred concerns. They have attended purposefully at case conferences, helping to ensure that their observations and information contributed to effective plans to safeguard the child’s welfare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff demonstrate that they are aware of how to safeguard children and young people if they are concerned about their welfare in the home. They indicate that they would approach the matter with the same tenacity and professionalism as with all other aspects of care. One commented, ‘If I felt it [a safeguarding matter] wasn't being dealt with I would keep going higher until I was satisfied it was in hand.’ The team is able to protect children and young people well.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is willing to implement new processes to promote continuing improvement of practice, such as allocating a worker on each shift to liaise with the pharmacy over the issuing of prescriptions. She is also willing to re-examine the practice if the desired improvement does not materialise. Staff contribute regularly to this endeavour at team meetings and so seek to hone their practice continually.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Perusal of records shows that the provider follows safer recruitment protocols, although not consistently as selectors missed a gap in an applicant’s employment history. Without vigilance, it may be possible for applicants to hide significant information that would indicate their unsuitability to work with vulnerable children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home has facilitated the emergency admission of two children to the home since the last inspection. A member of staff commented, ‘If a new placement came forward, it would only be accepted as long as the other residents would not be put at risk.’ However, there is no evidence that an assessment was undertaken to ensure that the risks were considered. This absence of adequate documentation leaves a significant gap in the child’s records. Nevertheless, observations are that this has been a successful placement, demonstrated by the child no longer being the subject of a child protection plan.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned by a national organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to six children and young people with complex health needs arising from learning disabilities and physical disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 22/03/2016 Full Good 14/09/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness 30/09/2014 Full Good

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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 leadership and management standard, the registered person is required to: ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. In particular, that a workforce plan is in place that details the process and timescales for supervision of practice and maintains appropriate records for staff. (Regulation 13 (2)(c)) 11/11/2016

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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. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)(c)) 11/11/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  The registered person must ensure that staff have the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to: respond to the health needs of children, administer basic first aid and minor illness treatment, help children to manage long-term conditions and where necessary meet specific individual health needs arising from a disability, chronic condition or other complex needs (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12). This is with specific regard to ‘CQC and Ofsted guidance: registration of healthcare at children’s homes’, Annex 4, page 17, which states: ‘The permitted tasks for non-health qualified staff and focus of training for these tasks must be on the care as it applies to a named child. The individual carer will require specific training and assessment in order to participate in the care of a second or

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. This should be appropriately recorded. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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, 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,

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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

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

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