Children's home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Rossendale

Inspection report children’s home: SC386651 1 SC386651 Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is part of a large, national organisation. It is registered to care for up to three children aged up to 18 who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and presenting complex behaviours. The manager has been in post since November 2018 and is registered with Ofsted.

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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: 12 February 2019

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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: SC386651 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 05/07/2018 Full Good 06/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/07/2017 Full Inadequate Inspection report children’s home: SC386651 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one young person has been sensitively supported to move out of the home. Staff stayed with her at her new home until she was settled. Staff ensure that visits take place from and to new carers before young people move. Photographs, gifts and a celebratory meal are provided. Consequently, young people feel reassured and cared for. Staff complete regular, high-quality and meaningful one-to-one discussions to help young people improve their understanding of appropriate behaviours and emotional responses to others. Staff talk to young people about issues such as independence skills, self-esteem, education, feelings, sexual health and safety online. Staff prioritise young people’s health needs. For example, young people attend the dentist and orthodontist where needed. Staff encourage and help young people to access sexual health services. One young person who recently moved into the home now

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

has glasses after attending an optician’s appointment. One young person who has recently moved into the home shared that ‘it really feels like my home’. She spoke highly about the support of staff and really enjoys the home- cooked meals. Managers ensure that young people’s bedrooms are decorated to a high standard before they move in. Young people feel cared for and welcome because of the warm responses of staff. The manager gives strong and effective challenge on behalf of young people to professionals and placing authorities. This enable young people to have equal opportunities to that of others. For example, the manager ensures that young people can visit family in a safe and planned way. She has made complaints on behalf of young people when concerns have arisen about their education or social care support.

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

Young people are kept safe living at this home. There have been several allegations made by one young person against staff. Staff have provided consistent and prompt responses to the allegations in line with safeguarding procedures. The manager has worked in partnership with the designated officer to prioritise the welfare of young people. The manager keeps extensive records of safeguarding incidents and the responses. This ensures that allegations are managed comprehensively. Investigations into staff are completed to an exceptionally high standard and include recommendations to improve practice going forward.. Young people have not been missing from the home since the last inspection. There has been one complaint from a young person about the home’s vehicle. This was responded to sensitively and addressed effectively. The young person felt reassured and listened to because of the thorough approach of the manager.

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

Staff use physical restraint as a last resort. The manager has good oversight of the incidents and she evaluates them thoroughly. She ensures that staff and young people are spoken to Inspection report children’s home: SC386651 4 after incidents. Consequently, staff reflect on areas for improvement and young people learn how to reduce aggressive behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is very conscientious and dedicated. She ensures that staff provide high- quality care to young people. She is supported by a caring, experienced and consistent staff team that encourages young people to thrive. There is effective oversight and in- depth support from the responsible individual. Staff speak positively about the support and oversight of the manager. Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision. Supervision enables staff to reflect on incidents involving young people and to consider how to improve their practice. Subsequently, staff develop and improve their skills. The manager routinely holds team meetings. The meetings are thoroughly recorded and used as a forum for learning and sharing information. There is considerable focus on the needs of young people, as well as references to reading and training material to improve knowledge and awareness. For example, information has been shared about the use of

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

language when talking with young people. Staff are up to date with all mandatory training and have the level 3 diploma in residential childcare qualification. Staff are well equipped and adequately qualified to meet the needs of young people in their care. The manager has completed an exceptionally evaluative review of the quality of care provided in the home. She has placed considerable focus on the wishes and feelings of young people about their care. There is a clear development plan in place to make further improvements. The location risk assessment is well written and evaluative. It includes consultation with the host authority and emergency services about the risks within the local community. There are clear actions and strategies in place to reduce risks within the immediate and local area to keep young people safe.

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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 Inspection report children’s home: SC386651 5 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: SC386651 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Anna Gravelle, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC386651 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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