Children's home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Southend-on-Sea

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are continuing to make improved progress because they live in this home. They enjoy taking part in activities, including going to army cadets, going to the cinema and the local roller-skating park, going out on day trips with the staff and joining a local football team. These opportunities have provided the children with the chance to make and maintain relationships with other children outside the home. Children’s confidence has grown because they have had these positive experiences, and this has led to them trying out new activities in the community.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have completed direct work with the children, covering a range of subjects including online safety and the risks of exploitation. This has supported the children in making appropriate decisions about their use of social media.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There were no regulatory requirements or recommendations made at the last inspection. There have been no complaints made since the last inspection. Local authorities report that they are pleased with the outcomes for the children. A social worker commented, ‘The staff [in this home] are brilliant. They work really well together to meet the range of different needs in the home. Communication is excellent with the weekly and monthly reports. Since the child has lived in this home they have been much calmer and the risks for them have reduced.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been five incidents when children have been missing from the home. Staff have worked well in partnership with the multi-agency partners, in particular the police, to ensure that the children return quickly. The manager notified Ofsted of one significant incident. A review of the records during this inspection illustrates that the provider has followed the missing-from-care protocol and the children returned safely. The manager has reviewed the children’s risk assessments and amended care plans to help staff to manage any potential safeguarding matters arising from this incident. Staff have received training regarding managing missing- from-care incidents. The manager has updated the protocols to inform the staff’s understanding of the risk of exploitation for these children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All relevant staff have completed the required level 3 diploma qualification, which means that they have the underpinning knowledge that they need to work with the children effectively.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children have made particular progress in their schooling at the on-site education provision, which children are attending well. Some of the children are completing functional skills courses, while others are meeting expectations to complete GCSE work. Some children are attending the local further education college. This will help to prepare them for work or higher level qualifications. Pathway plans are in place to support children who are developing independent living skills. These pathway plans assist children to make the transition to the community in a planned way. Children learn to be self-reliant and they gain confidence with budgeting skills and cooking ahead of these moves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager works in partnership with the independent visitor to ensure that the services provided are in line with the statement of purpose. The manager uses the regular reports from the visitor to ensure that staff practice in the home is to the highest standard. The manager routinely scrutinises children’s care plans and risk assessments to ensure that the children’s needs are understood. These plans are shared with the staff group at team meetings and during changes of shift. Consequently, staff understand and have strategies in place to meet the children’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager spends time working with the children, modelling his knowledge and caring approach for other staff to replicate. He and the staff work hard to provide a calm, nurturing atmosphere in the home. The manager uses regular supervision to encourage the staff to develop positive relationships with the children. This helps the staff to focus on the safe care plans for the children.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 14 restraints since the previous inspection. The need for restraint has reduced as staff have developed other skills. This mean that they can redirect children who are showing signs of harming themselves or others. A review of the records of these incidents indicate that staff have tried to use de-escalation skills before using the restraint techniques. These records are clear and concise. The review indicates that these restraints are in line with the regulations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Observation of children interacting with staff during this inspection demonstrated positive calm and nurturing relationships. Staff listen carefully to the children, taking time and investing in the relationship to help children to develop a positive rapport. Children comment positively on their relationships with staff. One child said, ‘The staff are relaxed, chilled, and trustworthy.’ Another child said, ‘The staff are kind and funny.’

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is operated by a private provider, provides accommodation for four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/05/2016 Full Good 21/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/09/2015 Full Good

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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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