Children's Home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Shropshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 1 SC020607 Registered provider: New Horizons Childcare 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

A private company t hat operates a number of children’s homes across the country owns this home. This home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have social and/or emotional difficulties. The manager was registered with Ofsted in February 2017. She holds a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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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

Date of last inspection: 20 February 2018

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: sustained effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 11/09/2017 Full Good 21/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/12/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6(1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)) In particular, the exterior of the home requires redecoration and repair. 31/10/2018

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, the home has experienced some instability. However, this has now been resolved. One young person moved into the home and experienced a significant bereavement, which impacted on their behaviour and the suitability of the placement. The registered manager and the staff team managed this difficult period well and escalated their concerns to the placing authority. This young person was able to move to a placement closer to her family. Young people benefit from living in a home where staff are passionate and committed to making a positive difference in young people’s lives. Staff build positive relationships with young people because they spend valuable time getting to know them. Because of these relationships young people are safe. Young people are provided with a home which is spacious and generally well maintained. The home has recently been refurbished internally and new fire doors have been fitted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

However, the exterior of the home requires attention as it presents as neglected. This does not provide young people and stakeholders with a positive first impression of the home. Education is supported and promoted in the home. When young people do not have an identified education provision, staff work alongside the placing authority to arrange one. Staff have (when necessary) escalated concerns about young people’s education. This has resulted in additional support being provided to ensure that young people are safe when attending school. Young people benefit from keeping in touch with their families and people who are important to them. Staff are good at making arrangements for young people to see their families and supervise this if necessary. Young people are actively encouraged to invite Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 4 family and friends to the home, and do so. Young people know how to complain, and they feel that they will be listened to if they do

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

complain. Young people have made four complaints since the last inspection. These have been resolved with the young people satisfactorily and the outcome appropriately recorded. Safeguarding and child protection policies reflect statutory guidance and support partnership working with other agencies. There are comprehensive and effective procedures to manage any allegations of abuse. Staff follow these procedures to protect and promote safety at all times. This gives the young person confidence that staff and managers take their concerns seriously.

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

Staff understand the risks that young people face. Risks are managed through the implementation of personalised risk management plans. These well-written plans guide staff to understand young people’s specific vulnerabilities and the challenges that they present. Staff are responsive to young people’s changing needs. Staff use one-to-one sessions to help young people to consider the impact that their actions may have on others. This effective approach means that young people can reflect on their behaviour and make positive changes as a result. The registered manager and the staff team advocate for young people. One young person was supported to make a complaint about the service she received from the placing authority. A worker from the placing authority told the inspector, ‘The staff team supported [name of young person] through her education and contact with family over a difficult period when she had five or six different social workers. This was the source of her

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

complaint against the local authority. The staff team, especially the manager, worked hard to support her with her complaint and secure her the recognition that the service she received was not acceptable.’ Staff set clear and consistent boundaries. Staff and young people work together to complete plans which identify triggers that make them feel angry or upset. These result in techniques that young people can use when they begin to feel like this. These plans also provide clear guidance for staff about how they should support young people. As a result, young people feel more secure than they previously did. This work is underpinned by a therapist who helps staff to reflect on the strategies that they employ. Staff welcome this opportunity and use it to ensure that their practice is informed by a solid evidence base. The therapist confirmed this to the inspector and said, ‘The team understands that behaviours are a

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

symptom of internal difficulties unique to the individual child. Members of staff are always open and honest during exploration and keen to make changes when identified in order to help young people find healthier ways of getting their needs met. The use of reflective practice in the home helps to improve individual and group practices as well as further personal development.’ All staff undertake training in the use of physical restraint and de-escalation techniques. They use physical restraint only to prevent young people from hurting themselves or others. Records of these incidents are detailed and reflective. Staff make sure that they consistently seek the young person’s comments and feedback, and use these thoughts to review behaviour plans and risk assessments. The manager takes responsibility for monitoring all incidents of restraint. Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A suitably qualified and experienced manager leads the staff team. She is supported by an experienced deputy manager. The manager holds others to account should they fail to support young people or to provide them with a service that meets their needs. This means that young people benefit from integrated care and support. The majority of staff hold the required level 3 diploma or equivalent. A small number of staff are currently working to achieve this, and plans are in place to ensure that they complete this within the required timescales. Staff are also provided with a wide range of training that informs their practice and meets the individual and diverse needs of young people living in the home. Consequently, highly skilled and effective staff support young people. Management oversight and monitoring processes are effective. For example, the registered manager has developed a system to monitor and review patterns and trends

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

relating to incidents with young people. As a result, the registered manager has a good insight into the home’s strengths and areas of development. She is proactive in addressing shortfalls. The statement of purpose accurately reflects the services offered by the home and is clear about the support offered to young people. Staff are positive about the support that they receive from the registered manager and the deputy manager. Supervision sessions are regular and of a high quality. They help staff generate ideas and reflect on their practice. New staff are robustly vetted and are supported through a clear, effective induction process. This ensures that young people receive high-quality care.

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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

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: SC020607 6

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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

Annemarie Parker, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC020607 7 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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Inspector

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