Children's home run by Key Change Children’s Service Limited in Westmorland and Furness

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding 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

This service continues to build on its previous history of being outstanding. It provides short-term, time-restricted placements to young people in need of quick removal from their communities, in order to keep themselves or others safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service excels in putting together packages of care with placing authorities that are innovative and individualised to meet specific needs. For example, young people live with and develop strong relationships with staff, who act as good role models. At the same time, they are given new experiences away from previous pressures faced, allowing for time out to consider and reflect on their own futures. This respite from their previous circumstances allows for clear thinking and planning to take place in regard to their short-, medium- and long-term futures.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The fluidity and flexibility of the service is designed to meet individual needs and circumstances. Plans, strategies and assessments of risk map the journey to be taken. They are revised and updated regularly to keep them current and updated. Young people contribute towards these plans. A young person described how he is consulted regularly and expected to contribute towards making choices on a daily basis. This gives young people some empowerment over their own future and shows them that others are prepared to listen and act on sensible thoughts and suggestions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strength of the service is in the staff understanding its capabilities, what it can offer, and whether the issues faced that generated the referral can be addressed in the timescale available. Comprehensive assessment of a young person’s needs at the referral stage assists with this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staffing levels are high and continuity of staff is good. The high levels of communication observed reflect the excellent relationships that exist between staff and young people. This develops trust as young people grow in self-belief and confidence. Integrating young people back into families and providing all parties with support is an area of strength. For example, in order to increase contact, a young person’s parent stayed with him and his staff recently. Future plans show how this support will transfer to the proposed home area, with distance not recognised as a barrier.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Behaviour management in the service is well managed. Young people with complex issues are looked after by staff who understand young people’s needs and have the ability to address them. Young people are supported if mistakes are made in a helpful and non-punitive manner. This creates trust and gives young people a sense of reassurance, which contributes to them feeling safe and secure in the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people and staff reside in a variety of settings, such as camping barns and lodges, on a narrowboat, at various campsites or in rented accommodation. Geographically, the settings are located in places that best support a young person, his or her family and the future arrangements in place for when the placement finishes. Appropriate risk assessments are in place.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service is well organised and managed. Young people receive a high degree of consistency of care from a stable staff team that they get to know and trust. The monitoring of the service by senior staff is methodical and efficient. The organisation of the service, from the manager down, is excellent, which benefits young people through its smooth operation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Constant review of practice keeps the service fresh as it looks for continual improvement. For example, a new electronic system has recently been introduced which improves the overall quality of monitoring. The service has bought into the operation of a local community garden, giving young people new experiences and activities, such as planting, cultivating, gardening, drystone walling, willow weaving, and getting involved in a variety of conservation projects. These activities create a good counterpoint to the traditional outdoor activities provided by the service.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has a good record of compliance and has fully addressed the one recommendation made at the previous inspection. This has led to ‘Prevent’ training being added to the core staff training programme.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This proved to be a positive inspection and no new requirements or recommendations have been made. Young people continue to thrive in environments that are designed to address their needs. They progress well in all areas of their lives, as they adjust from previous chaotic lifestyles. This allows young people who were disenchanted with life to look towards their immediate futures with some semblance of optimism.

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Information about this children’s home

 The service is a mobile programme provided by a private company.  It is registered to provide care and accommodation in separate locations for up to three young people, aged between 8 and 17 years old.  It is registered to care for young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.  It can offer emergency placements and must ensure that placements do not exceed 120 days.  The service is required to keep Ofsted advised of all children in placement and their locations, and ensure that those locations are suitably risk assessed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/11/2016 Full Outstanding 16/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 25/11/2015 Full Outstanding 25/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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. 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 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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