Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Windsor and Maidenhead

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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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

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

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager of the home, who has yet to be registered with Ofsted, was not available during the inspection. She has managed the home effectively for some months. However, during the week of this visit, and following previous consultation with Ofsted, the organisation withdrew her application to register and a new manager will be recruited. A number of members of staff who know the young people well have left recently. The contract manager and responsible individual are mindful that these changes will be unsettling for the young people and are working effectively to minimise the impact. Satisfactory interim management arrangements are in place while a registered manager is sought. The requirements from the last inspection have been met. The young people now have regular free time and take themselves to and from their colleges as well as spending time with friends and in the community. There are free time agreements in

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

place, which are signed by both young people. One young person was new to the home at the last full inspection. At this inspection, it is evident that he has settled well into the home and staff have developed positive and supportive relationship with him. There were initial episodes of going missing. However, the home has worked with the young person to assist him in attending college and pursuing outside interests. He also enjoys free time unsupervised. This effective engagement coupled with changes to the bedtime routine have minimised the risk of him going missing. Return home interviews have been undertaken on each occasion, organised by the placing authority. Copies of these reports have not been requested or received by staff or managers. Good-quality, up-to-date risk assessments are in place that reflect young people’s circumstances. E-safety work has been undertaken to build resilience and both

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

young people are discussed at the monthly multi-agency child sexual exploitation and missing panel. The child sexual exploitation risk assessment for one young person was not up to date and did not reflect his current circumstances. Placement plans are child-friendly and set out clearly the interests, views and needs of the young people. Staff have been actively involved in reviews of children and have established good working relationships with social workers, the designated officer and local police who regularly visit the home and attend team meetings. There have been no physical restraints used since the last inspection. De-escalation techniques and sanctions have been effective in managing behaviour and addressing incidents of potential harm to both staff and young people themselves. There is evidence that the views of the young people are considered and complaints made by the young people are recorded and promptly responded to by the manager.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Allegations against staff are taken seriously and managers have appropriately referred to or consulted with the designated officer as necessary. A recent allegation has been investigated and managed sensitively. However, no clear conclusion has yet been drawn. Safeguarding of young people is good. Staff and managers know the young people well and have put in place effective safeguarding arrangements that allow for young people to develop independent living skills and appropriate risk taking. Staff and managers are ambitious for the young people and work closely with external and internal professionals to improve the young people’s emotional health needs and enable them to reach their potential. Both young people actively engage in education. They attend regularly, and are supported by staff to do so. One young person has had a change of college and is now on a course that reflects his interests and suits his needs. Staff are actively

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

involved in supporting young people’s education by attending personal education plan meetings and other reviews as necessary. The young people are positive about their experiences in the home. They feel able to express their wishes and views and feel that they are listened to and have influence over day-to-day arrangements for their care. Staff have supported both young people to pursue their individual interests. This includes activities outside of the home such as going to the gym, drama and attending comic conventions and theme parks. Staff at the home celebrate the achievements of the young people as well as reinforcing positive behaviour via immediate rewards. Sanctions for negative behaviour have been reviewed and in addition to financial penalties, restorative measures are now employed. Both young people reported that they feel safe in the home and community. One young person was able to identify the staff who he gets on particularly well

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

with and those he does not. Both young people informed the inspector that they do not get on with each other and that they avoid each other if possible. This will inevitably have an impact on the day-to-day experiences of the young people in the home.

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Information about this children's home

This home is a privately owned home and is run by a company that has similar provision in a number of other areas in the country. The home is registered for two young people who experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

04/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

03/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Risk assessments must be kept up to date and current information included to provide a contemporary picture of risk and safeguarding issues. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, April 2015, page 42, paragraphs 9.7 and 9.19)  Allegations against staff must be investigated and conclude with a judgement as to whether the allegation is substantiated, unsubstantiated or unfounded. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, April 2015, page 44, paragraph 9.18)  Management must consider the impact of the young people’s relationship on their day-to-day experiences and how best to support them to develop a positive relationship. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, April 2015, page 38, paragraphs 8.7 and 8.11)

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Recommendations

 Copies of return home interviews should be obtained by the home to inform planning and assessment of risk. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, April 2015, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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 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

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Information about this inspection

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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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