Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

Interim inspection report children’s home: SC020607 1 SC020607 Registered provider: New Horizons Childcare Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 11 September 2017

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have strong relationships with staff, who support them to have positive experiences. This helps young people to achieve emotional security and develop their self-confidence. The quality of care provided by staff continues to be good.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, one young person has moved out. Careful planning involved consultation with all the required professionals. The move took place to ensure that the young person would continue to be safeguarded. The independent reviewing officer informed the inspector that the staff recognised that the young person needed to move. The reviewing officer said, ‘The staff have been very supportive to the young person and worked well with the social worker.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The social worker for this young person informed the inspector, ‘The communication between us all was brilliant.’ The social worker also stated that the staff supported the young person’s move ‘perfectly’ and helped her settle into her new home. Interim inspection report children’s home: SC020607 2 The staff work hard to avoid physical interventions and overall de-escalation strategies are successful. However, debriefing sessions and subsequent support for the staff involved are not always recorded.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are clear risk assessments in place to keep young people safe. Missing from home incidents are rare. There was one incident when two young people went missing from the home but returned safely 50 minutes later. Staff took appropriate action.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff make certain that young people have their own care plans and that these are reviewed regularly with the local authority. Staff have not ensured, however, that the statutory local authority placement plan is on the young people’s files.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have all their physical and emotional health needs met. Staff support the young people to make and attend regular health appointments. This helps young people to understand the importance of looking after their own health.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has worked hard to make sure that young people receive support with their education and significant progress has been made since the last inspection. Staff work creatively with education professionals to improve young people’s attendance and promote their learning. Young people’s confidence and self-esteem increase and they are able to make friends at school and in the local area. A teacher at the school told the inspector that one young person was previously not attending school, but ‘Persistence by the staff team and the excellent communication with the registered manager has ensured that attendance is now good and the young person continues to make progress.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person told the inspector, ‘Staff are great all the time. They are always here for me. They listen to me, especially when I am feeling low. They help me and make me feel happy again. I would give all the staff 10 out of 10, especially the deputy manager.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is making improvements to the home and redecoration is taking place. In particular, there are plans to fit a new kitchen. The young people are always involved in choosing the decor in the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people make good progress because of the individualised care that they receive. Staff listen to the young people and support them to remain safe. Staff encourage young people to make their own choices and promote their independence. Young people are also encouraged to express their wishes and share how they feel. Staff act on young people’s views. For example, staff support young people to maintain relationships with friends and family from their local area.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children’s rights officer from the local authority told the inspector, ‘It has been my experience that the management and staff have always been open to promoting support for the young person. The staff are able to contribute to and challenge care planning and local case management decisions. As they are willing to work in the best interest of the young people in their care, the young person has flourished and is looking to move Interim inspection report children’s home: SC020607 3 on to further independence.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager monitors and reviews the quality of care that is provided to the young people. Young people know how to make a complaint and feel that their views are heard. For example, the registered manager reviews any sanctions that staff have used. This approach has seen a reduction in challenging behaviours by young people. The registered manager’s development plan for the home is specific to the needs of the young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has met the requirements from the last inspection, except one which has been raised again. This has been specifically in relation to ensuring that local authority placement plans for young people are on file and have been agreed and signed. There is a further requirement that staff should be appropriately debriefed following a physical intervention.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/09/2017 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/12/2016 Full Requires improvement 23/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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 ensure that they co-operate with the child’s placing authority in agreeing and signing the child’s placement plan. (Regulation 17 (1)(2)) 04/05/2018

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 48 hours of the use of a measure, the registered person or a person who is authorised by the registered person has spoken to the user about the measure and has signed the record to confirm it is accurate. (Regulation 35 (3)(b)(i)(ii)) 04/05/2018 Interim inspection report children’s home: SC020607 4

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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 differences 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 children and young people whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Horizons Childcare Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, 2nd Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, Worcestershire B63 4AH

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Inspector

Balsinder Jaspal-Mander, social care inspector Interim inspection report children’s home: SC020607 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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