Children's home run by Keys Care Limited in Belfast

Inspection report children's home: SC063959 1 SC063959 Registered provider: Bettercare Keys Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people benefit from a continuously improving service. Their experiences and progress are enhanced by staff who are committed, and who are good role models to the young people. Inspection report children's home: SC063959 2  Staff form strong, trusting and nurturing relationships with young people. Young people feel confident and safe in their home and around staff. Young people genuinely see it as their home, and not just somewhere that they live.

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people’s attendance and engagement in education and training has considerably improved. This will benefit them in the future.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The staff are good at consulting with the young people. Young people have a say in the running of the home and are able to influence day-to-day decisions.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The young people are kept safe by the competent staff team.

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Key findings from this inspection

 There is a well-planned, coordinated response to young people who are absent or go missing. Effective practice has resulted in young people significantly reducing the frequency of missing episodes.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager and her senior staff provide effective leadership to a stable and consistent staff team.

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Key findings from this inspection

 The registered manager uses a variety of monitoring systems to enable her to understand the impact of the service and the difference it is making to young people’s lives. This leads to improvements in practice.

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development:

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Key findings from this inspection

 The programme of decoration is almost complete. This has led to young people being provided with a warm, safe, comfortable and homely environment. Some attention is needed to the study room, and the rear garden would benefit from new furniture.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 03/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 08/09/2015 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC063959 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement ("the statement of purpose") which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, details of the experience and qualifications of staff. The registered person must provide a copy of the statement of purpose to HMCI. (Regulation 16 (1) (2)) 30/06/2017

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are making progress as a result of living in this home. They benefit from positive relationships with staff who provide them with consistent care and support. One young person confirms this by saying: ‘As from day one all staff showed me respect; this was hard to handle from where I came from but I trust all the staff. They have given me a second chance. This is by far the best care home ever.’ A parent said: ‘The home is very good. I have been up to the home three or four times. I always feel very welcome and staff are very friendly and approachable, which when I am 280 miles away is really important to me. Staff keep me up to date with all instances in my son’s life and this is by far one of the better homes.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people are supported to understand healthy lifestyles, and what this means for them. They are encouraged to eat healthily, with plenty of fresh produce available in the home and freshly made meals. Young people’s cultural dietary needs are catered for. Young people are encouraged to help cook meals so that they have these skills for independence. Care planning for the young people is sound and incorporates all information in relation to health and cultural backgrounds. This supports the staff to meet the day-to-day needs of each young person.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is prioritised by the management team and staff. Young people attend school Inspection report children's home: SC063959 4 or training full time. Any issues that arise are dealt with by staff to ensure that young people make good use of the opportunities available to them. One young person proudly discussed his work-experience placement and training course. Another young person said, ‘I really like school and I am learning a lot.’ The headteacher supported the commitment of the staff by saying: ‘Considering she has been out of education for over two years the fact that staff are getting her here is commendable.’ Young people are encouraged to take pride in their achievements, all of which are celebrated. This prepares young people well for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people develop greater self-awareness, and a more positive self-view. They have higher self-esteem and feel more able to manage and regulate their emotions. This is supported by regular input from the professional therapy team, who regularly work with the young people and support staff to implement the model of care being used. Consequently, there has been a significant reduction in the young people’s challenging and risk-taking behaviours.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

These improvements have had a profound, positive impact on the young people’s relationships with their families and have enabled the young people to rebuild these relationships. Young people regularly go home for overnight stays and the success of these visits has enabled some young people to travel independently when visiting their family. This represents a significant achievement for some young people who live a considerable distance from their families, and keeps them in touch with the important people in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are good role models to the young people. There is a commitment to encouraging young people to express their views, through regular house meetings, key-worker sessions and feedback questionnaires. Staff were observed to be nurturing and supportive in all their interactions with the young people, spending time with them while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Staff place young people’s needs at the centre of their practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions into the home are positive and well planned. The registered manager completes a comprehensive and thorough assessment of young people’s needs and risks, and considers their compatibility with existing young people, the skills of staff and the aims and objectives of the home. As a result, any adverse impact on young people from living together is recognised, reduced and well managed. The staff inform and prepare existing young people for any imminent new admission to support a successful transition. When young people move on from the home, this is as a result of effective long-term planning. Young people continue to keep in touch with the staff in the home long after they have moved on. This demonstrates the positive impact the staff had on the young people’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Young people receive the support from staff to engage in activities that they enjoy. They participate in local events, and arrangements are being made for the planning of the young people’s summer holiday, taking into consideration their interests and preferences. Young people’s friends visiting the home are commonplace. Young people speak happily of the local friendships that they have made. Inspection report children's home: SC063959 5 The home is welcoming, warm and comfortable following a programme of redecoration. Young people’s bedrooms are personalised, equipped with all necessary furniture and comfortable. Young people have made suggestions for a ‘Graffiti wall’ in the study room which has been agreed but is not yet completed. The rear garden would benefit from some new outdoor furniture.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff put their safeguarding training into practice. They reflect and learn from past practices, consider potential scenarios and are fully conversant with the home’s safeguarding policies and procedures. They know precisely what they need to do if they have concerns about a young person. The registered manager and staff act in accordance with local agency protocols. They implement company policy and procedures to ensure that young people are protected.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Allegations against staff are taken seriously, and the registered manager takes swift and effective action to safeguard young people. The management team and staff work well with other professionals and, when appropriate, family members, to address any safeguarding concerns. Safeguarding matters are promptly reported, and protective measures are put in place to minimise risks. Young people’s risk management plans are comprehensive, and include different levels of risk management depending on the level of risk perceived by staff at any given time.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

These assessments have been effective for young people who could potentially place themselves at risk of being criminalised. The risk management plans allow staff to regularly assess and change their strategies accordingly, and bring additional support to young people from outside of the home. One external professional said: ‘My experience with the home has been very positive and I am impressed by the staff who look after the young people. They look at risk from a potential and hyper potential angle and consider the young people’s intent or bravado. Staff manage the young people’s risk very well and are excellent at joint working. This has enabled the young people’s risk to be lowered. The young people, staff and management should be proud of the progress they make.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use their positive relationships with the young people to promote the behavioural expectations of the home. They provide strong, consistent boundaries while encouraging young people to reflect on their behaviour and the consequences it has for them and others. Staff have encouraged young people to seek the support of other agencies to address harmful behaviours, such as fire starting, possession of dangerous weapons and substance misuse. This has had a positive impact on the young people and there are no concerning behaviours with the current group of young people.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive behaviour is actively encouraged in the home, through incentive and reward schemes, and restraints are rarely used. The registered manager has good systems in place to ensure that all staff are up to date with their behaviour management training, including restraint. Police, youth justice workers and therapists work effectively with the young people and staff. This joint working reduces any likelihood of young people Inspection report children's home: SC063959 6 engaging in inappropriate behaviour leading to criminalisation. As a result, the home is very settled.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

A well-planned, coordinated response is made to young people who are absent or go missing from the home. This includes engaging a range of professionals, and the young people, in discussions aimed at reducing the frequency of missing episodes. Agreements are reached regarding coming-in times and overnight contacts young people may have arranged. This approach removes the need for young people to leave the home without permission and has significantly reduced absent and missing-from-home incidents. Staff are proactive in making themselves known to young people’s friends and family, so they can reassure themselves that the young people will be safe when staying with them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people have mobile phones and use these to keep in touch with the staff. Young people and staff have a good understanding and awareness of the internet and social media. This protects young people from unsuitable sites and reduces the risk of online grooming, radicalisation and child sexual exploitation. Young people are confident to approach staff on any topic, and this was observed during the inspection.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people know how to raise issues and how to complain. They confirm that they feel safe and well supported. They have access to a range of staff and individuals whom they can go to if they have any worries. There have been two complaints since the last inspection. Records clearly show that these complaints were taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and concluded to the satisfaction of the complainant.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff recruitment is thorough, and a comprehensive staff induction programme means that staff complete mandatory training without delay. A new staff member confirmed the robust process she went through before commencing work in the home. Her staff file showed all of the necessary checks undertaken before she worked with the young people. These arrangements prevent young people from being looked after by adults who may wish to harm them.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The home is safe and free from hazards. All necessary health and safety checks are regularly carried out and recorded. Young people are clear on how to evacuate the home in the case of an emergency. All visitors to the home are required to produce their identity and are not left alone with the young people. As a result, young people are protected and safe in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively by a suitably qualified and experienced manager. She is supported by an equally competent assistant manager and four senior child care workers. Together they provide consistent leadership to the staff team. The registered manager and her team are ambitious, have high expectations and are not afraid to challenge professionals or the organisation. The staff team is diverse and tolerant, with staff members placing a strong focus on equality and diversity. This ensures that the home is run well and that young people’s support needs are at the centre of staff practice. Inspection report children's home: SC063959 7 The majority of the staff team are qualified to level 3 or above. Staff currently undertaking their qualification confirmed that they will complete within the timescales as required by regulation. All staff spoken with feel supported, and records show that they receive regular supervision and an annual appraisal. The registered manager is

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

supported and supervised by the operations manager. All staff in this home are able to discuss their practice, identify their training needs and demonstrate a very good knowledge of individual young people’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a rolling programme of training provided for staff. They confirm that their training is useful and informative, and supports them to meet the specific individual needs of the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Joint working with external professionals is evidenced throughout young people’s care and, in particular, in their plans. Individualised placement care plans reflect the input of specialist services, such as therapists, youth offending team, education and psychologists. Plans are updated regularly to show young people’s progress, or any need for additional support to be provided. Changes to young people’s placement care plans are work in progress. When complete they will tell their story, and the outcomes achieved during their time in the home. This will be beneficial for any future placement, or for young people to reflect back later in life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Internal monitoring systems are in place, and the registered manager uses these to inform practice and to improve organisational and practical home-related issues. Thi monitoring is complemented by an independent person who each month reports on the quality of care and how effectively young people are safeguarded. A workforce development plan is in place for continued improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s statement of purpose requires some updating to reflect staff changes. Any changes to this document must be forwarded to Ofsted as required by regulation. As a result a requirement is made. This is to ensure that the statement of purpose is factually correct for the reader and that Ofsted, in its role as the regulator, is kept informed of any changes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There were no requirements or recommendations made at the interim inspection in January 2017. The shortfalls linked to the one requirement made during this inspection had no direct impact on the young people.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 Inspection report children's home: SC063959 8 children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children's home: SC063959 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Bettercare Keys Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The Keys Group, Laganwood House, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5NW

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Inspector

Mark Kersh, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC063959 10 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children's services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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