Children's home run by Keys KIN Ltd in Wealden

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 sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection it was noted that bedrooms were in need of improvement, and the development plan at that time did not support the achievement of this. Both these issues have been addressed. Young people have well-decorated rooms, and have participated in choosing the decor. Doors are all properly fitted and would be safe in the event of fire. Through this improvement, both requirements of the last inspection have been complied with.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has left the home. She has made a planned move to return to live with a family member. This move was brought forward by approximately two weeks to help to manage the situation between young people at the home. This was a wise decision, and the groundwork for this move was achieved throughout the duration of the 11-month placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people moved into the home, one just before and one at the time of the last inspection. The young people have settled well and are making some progress while living here. There have been significant difficulties in securing them purposeful educational placements, but the provider is working with the placing authorities to achieve this. Both young people have education plans in place which they are encouraged to follow.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who have lived in the home for some time have been very well, and warmly, engaged. They enjoy positive relationships with the staff, and these relationships were noted to be used effectively and in the young people’s best interests. Young people are making positive progress towards moving on, and one young person plans to start university at the end of summer.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people do periodically present significant challenges. The managers and staff were noted to have a good understanding of when difficulties were likely to arise and to plan very thoughtfully how to support young people through these. The staff are confident in their relationships with young people, treat them maturely and seek to be understanding, not controlling. Young people appreciate this. One young person (who had herself been subject to restraint, on occasion), said, ‘They [staff] almost never restrain us’, recognising the very high threshold that had to be met before restraints were ever used.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Records and analysis found that restraints and sanctions are used relatively infrequently and are subject to careful scrutiny. They are always proportionate to the event, and the young people are encouraged to reflect upon and record their views about them.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Episodes of missing from care are well managed. Young people’s risks and habits are well known and planned for. Since the last inspection, there have been 21 absences from the home in total, but none of these were for more than two hours and many were for only a matter of minutes. All are carefully recorded, because of the vulnerability of some young people. Staff will follow young people and, if they judge it practical, persuade them to return. Young people spoke of this, and it is clear that the staff’s concern for the young people is communicated to them through staff actions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

If young people make complaints, these are taken seriously and the manager, in consultation with other senior managers in the company, will seek to address all concerns and give the young person a clear outcome. At the time of this inspection, one young person’s concerns that were raised the previous day were in the early stage of being addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding matters are given the appropriate level of importance, and the manager works collaboratively with other agencies. Examples of issues shared with the local authority designated officer were seen, and referrals had been made in a timely way.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, a visiting social worker and two consultant psychologists were spoken with. They gave highly positive feedback about the child-centred nature of the care given and the professional communication that they enjoy with the home. It was noted that staff were seen by other professionals to intervene very ably with young people, even when the young people are highly distressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The leadership and management of this home are effective. The registered manager has created a clear ethos in which the needs of the young people come first, and this is clearly impressed on the staff. The manager leads by example, but also trusts the skills that his staff have developed. This was evident in the management of young people in some challenging exchanges during the day of the inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are no requirements or recommendations arising as a result of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people. It currently accommodates exclusively girls. The home is run by a private organisation that has another home close by.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/09/2016 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 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 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

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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