Children's home run by Keys Care Limited in Belfast

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged requires improvement at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved in effectiveness .

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people have made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. Staff have remained consistent at the home and reported that they feel supported by the registered manager and that she has clear visions and aspirations for the young people.

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

All requirements from the last inspection have been completed and implemented. Young people have seen an improvement in their attendance at school or further education. One young person is showing a particular skill in welding and produced a fine piece of art work for his bedroom. Young people have attended their health reviews and routine dental appointments. Effective action is being taken when there is a safeguarding concern. This includes the fitting of new windows so that young people are unable to climb out of the second floor window at night. Risk assessments and care plans including behavioural plans have much improved and provided staff with a clear framework from which to work from. Children’s case records are regularly updated. Supervisions were sporadic. The manager has started to put regular supervision in place. The registered manager has recently started to supervise all staff in order to support staff to review their practice and

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Concerns were highlighted recently that staff were not always clear around professional boundaries. The registered manager has addressed this in a staff meeting and staff who spoke to the inspector said that they now understand the importance of professional boundaries. Staff were able to demonstrate that they understood their responsibilities to maintain professional boundaries, and the impact that this has on safeguarding the young people.

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people have built positive relationships with staff, who understand their individual needs and support them to continue to make satisfactory progress in all aspects of their lives.

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A youth offending worker commented that, ‘(name) has really improved since moving to the home and talks positively about the staff. The manager is always available when I visit and I get regular updates. I work with lots of homes and this is the most professional.’

p.2

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Another social worker commented in a recent monitoring report, ‘I am very impressed with the professionalism and care that staff at this home provide for (name). I think they have the right balance of establishing boundaries yet providing a warm, friendly environment. Although I am sure that (name) will become more challenging after the ‘honeymoon period’ I have been reassured by my dealings with the staff that they will manage him in a consistent fashion and will keep to the boundaries that they are putting in place.’

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff recognise that education is an important part of young people’s lives. They support and encourage young people to attend and have regular contact with education providers. Some young people who completed their education last year, are being supporting by staff in returning to new college placements.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff are proud of what the young people have achieved. One young person commented that he was enjoying his new school and is looking forward to returning after the Christmas break. For another young person, a tutor has been employed to work with them two days a week. The staff understand that the transition into a more formal education environment could be difficult and are working with him, the tutor and the social worker towards achieving this.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Behaviour management in the home is fair and proportionate. Young people comment on sanctions given and the registered manager evaluates the effectiveness. Young people understand that if they break things in the home there is an expectation that they pay towards the cost of replacing the item or help the handy person to fix it. Some young people had started to cause damage in the local community. The staff encouraged the young people to visit the people affected and whose lives they are disrupting with their acts of vandalism. This has helped the young people to recognise that there are real consequences to their actions for others and as a result, the young people have been moved enough to write their own letter of apology to those concerned.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is a good ratio of staff to young people, which enables young people to attend activities and have quality time with staff. Staff understand that activities are an important part of young people learning social skills and mixing with their peers. Young people enjoy going out with staff, and they were observed going out for a milkshake and having their hair cut. The home has established good links with the community warden who visits the young people to inform them of activities and clubs in the local area.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people are encouraged where appropriate to visit friends in the community and to manage risks and keep themselves safe when out. Young people’s friends are also encouraged to visit the home. A young person does have a number of absences from the home, but the home is being sufficiently robust in their response to keep the young person safe. He has been encouraged to return to The home every evening, rather than staying with his girlfriend and being reported as absent to the police.

p.3

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There has been a reduction in young people going missing. A professional commented, ‘There has been very good communication. She will inform me of any new admissions along with appropriate information. Young people do not tend to go missing, it’s more unauthorised absence. Staff look for young people when they do not go home. This is one of the better homes that I work with.’

p.4

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager also meets with the local police and other providers in the area on a regular basis to look at any safeguarding concerns.

p.4

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff have good links with the local police community support officer who has visited the home to talk to young people about not returning on time, staying safe and the law around young people being involved in drugs and alcohol. This has supported them in making better choices.

p.4

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The manager has located services in the community to support young people. This includes a drug worker who is working with some of the young people with their substance misuse. While it is acknowledged that sometimes the young people are not engaging, the registered manager and her staff team are trying a number of different approaches to address the issue with cannabis. Other professionals include the local fire service and the local authority youth service.

p.4

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has a warm, nurturing and supporting environment. Young people are encouraged to choose the furnishings and decorations at the home. Repairs are dealt with promptly, with some repairs ongoing at the time of inspection.

p.4

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and operated by a private organisation. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people. The young people may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, including attachment difficulty.

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 03/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/06/2014 Full Adequate

p.5

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’.

p.6

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.

p.6

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 .

p.6

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, workbased 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,

p.7

Information about this inspection

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

p.7

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.7

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.7