Children's home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Birmingham

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 effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the full inspection in October 2016, two requirements were made.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Face-to-face training in safeguarding and child protection delivered to the whole team now ensures that the staff have a deeper and broader understanding of the different types of abuse and their responsibilities with regard to reporting concerns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recently introduced individualised documents used to record, review and monitor information about the young people now capture their views more effectively. These documents also provide evidence that the staff respond to the young people’s requests and choices in communication styles that meet their individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the same inspection, three recommendations were also made. An updated safeguarding policy now includes specific guidance on countering child sexual exploitation and female genital mutilation. More specifically, specialist training in these topics has enabled the staff to gain new skills and knowledge in these areas and help the young people to understand how to protect themselves.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Recently obtained consent from a general practitioner and updated guidance for staff on the use of certain restraint holds now take into account a young person’s medical condition and confirm intervention is compatible with the young person’s individual needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monthly reports produced by the independent visitor are very informative. However, in order to support continuous improvement and sustain good practice, the registered manager would benefit from information that provides more effective evaluation and scrutiny of the service, as well as a clear action plan.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Therefore this recommendation has not been met. One new recommendation has been made as a result of this inspection. This relates to ensuring that the staff are clear about the difference between the role of the local authority designated officer and that of the child protection team when reporting concerns. Safeguarding practice in the home has improved significantly, but shortfalls in knowledge may lead to confusion. Therefore, in order to act in accordance with the home’s policy, particularly in knowing how to use it to report a concern, the staff would benefit from further training in managing allegations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people living in the home continue to make progress in all areas. The staff support young people to access education and their attendance is exemplary. The registered manager works in partnership with all of the schools to ensure continuity of care, in particular regarding approaches to behaviour management. The young people are also encouraged to pursue their hobbies and interests. Current examples include: the young people accessing cubs, football clubs and a national citizen scheme.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been a number of improvements in the home, including the introduction of an incident monitoring system that was developed by the registered manager. Information obtained and recorded on bar charts is analysed further to enhance behaviour management practice and improve the quality of care the young people receive. Since the introduction of this monitoring system, the number of incidents in the home has reduced significantly and restraints have only been used as a last resort. On the few occasions they have taken place, the staff were able to identify the triggers and manage the incidents appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Only young people whose needs can be met move into the home. Appropriate challenge to the wider network ensures that the registered manager makes the decision as to whether referrals are suitable. Pre-admission processes then address need and risk and identify any gaps in knowledge or training. A recent admission to the home was an excellent example of this. The well-planned move, organised by the registered manager over several weeks, took into account the impact this could potentially have on the existing group of young people and gave the new young person time to process what was happening and build relationships with staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Comprehensive and detailed plans are understood by the staff team, which ensures that the young people receive the care and support they need. For example, a team leader/key worker with extensive knowledge of autistic spectrum disorders made it clear how this could impact on the young person’s behaviour and implemented appropriate strategies to manage this, including a workshop. He also meticulously analysed a psychology assessment for the same young person and linked it to all of the relevant plans on file.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A strong and forward-thinking management team, led by the registered manager, ensures that the staff have access to a broad range of learning and development opportunities. These include training in Makaton at a foundation and advanced level. Striving to develop this further, the home is currently working towards obtaining a Kitemark in this area. Feedback to the independent visitor from a social worker noted how impressed she was generally with how the staff were being skilled up through training to understand her young person’s needs. In her response to further consultation carried out by the home, she stated, ‘It’s the most settled he’s ever been.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private organisation who have four other homes within the Southampton area. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to five children and young people who have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 20/10/2016 Full Good 03/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 03/12/2015 Full Good 22/01/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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Recommendations

 The policy for the protection of children from abuse or neglect should be available and explained to children and their families as well as to all staff, whatever their role. The registered person must make sure that all staff are familiar with this policy and act in accordance with it, in particular how to use it to report a concern. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 44, paragraph 9.21)

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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 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, workbased 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

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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