Children's home run by Keys Education Ltd

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people, are making good progress. These achievements are the result of the nurturing relationships and stable environment that staff create. This has helped two young people to be confident to form new friendships and to secure employment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, considerable investment has been made to improve children and young people’s educational outcomes. The manager has worked diligently with education providers and local authorities to ensure that tailor-made educational packages have been secured for every child and young person. For example, one young person has a tailor-made package that includes teaching staff working with him in the local library so that he can gradually get used to them before his next stage of entering the classroom. This is helping to build his confidence and to overcome barriers to learning that have previously resulted in school placements breaking down.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager closely monitors the progress of children and young people and shares her observations directly with them. Consequently, children and young people are informed of their progress and share openly the progress they have made. For example, one young person told the inspector: ‘I used to watch my back, but I don’t get in trouble now. I don’t worry about stuff. I’ve changed a lot.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff listen carefully to children and young people. For example, children and young people are encouraged to contribute to staff team meetings and the recruitment of new staff. This ensures that children and young people’s views, wishes and expectations are fully understood and respected by the staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are insightful about the dangers that social media bring. Staff use their strong relationships with children and young people to carry out awareness training on e- safety. These creative sessions help young people to make safe decisions that protect them from harm. As children and young people become more comfortable in using the support of the staff, they are more insightful about their own vulnerabilities and risk-taking behaviours. For example, one young person told the inspector, ‘Well you can understand when my music was on loud some people didn’t like that, so now I turn it down a bit.’ He also said: ‘Bad language: people don’t want that around little children.’ Another young person said: ‘I know that I irritated the other young people, by pecking at them all the time.’ Staff point out when language is offensive and discuss new ways of dealing with frustration in key-work sessions and house

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has established strong community partnerships, including attending the local parish meeting. This engagement has improved community confidence in the service and reduces conflict with the children and young people. The manager discusses the outcomes with children and young people, encouraging them to consider how to defend themselves without aggression.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continually listen to therapeutic advice from the clinical team. This informative support helps staff to understand children and young people’s vulnerabilities. One member of staff told the inspector: ‘How we support the children is flexible. There are less grey areas so we know what to do, and the kids know what to expect.’ For example, staff are developing stronger skills and understanding of how children’s medical conditions, together with their life experiences, can affect their reactions. This joined-up approach means that children and young people know what to expect and their anxieties reduce.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has reflected on a young person’s admission. However, she has not escalated her concerns to the appropriate authorities. This means that previous decisions have not been subject to rigorous review and assessment so that lessons can be learned.

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Information about this children’s home

This is a private children’s home, providing care and accommodation for up to three children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home’s statement of purpose indicates that the age range will be between 10 and 17 years of age.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/11/2016 Full Requires improvement 03/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/06/2015 Full Good

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Recommendation

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that, when another relevant person does not provide the input and services needed to meet a child’s needs during their time in the home or in preparation for leaving the home, the home must challenge them to meet the child’s needs (see regulations 5(c)). Staff should act as champions for their children, expecting nothing less than a good parent would. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 12, paragraph 2.8)

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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 that 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. Whenever 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 0300 123 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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