Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 1 SC363384 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

The home is privately owned and provides care for up to four young people, who have emotional, behavioural and social difficulties. The registered manager position is currently vacant.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates: 27 to 28 November 2019

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/01/2019 Full Good 10/01/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/09/2017 Full Good 14/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placements will have on the existing group of children. The Statement of Purpose is an important document in the process of care planning as it sets out the needs of children the home is set up and equipped to care for. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home has been through a period of instability while staff have supported a group of children who displayed particularly challenging behaviours. Staff have coped well when faced with these challenges. Leaders and managers have reluctantly had to end some children’s placements so that other children can now experience a calmer and more relaxed home environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Only one child is currently living at the home. She is making good progress. This is because the staff understand her needs and have provided her with the support that she has required to help her settle and develop good relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders and managers have overseen a major refurbishment of the home. This has included a full redecoration and new soft furnishings. The environment is now free from damage. It is a welcoming environment that children can be proud of.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage regular school attendance, help children with homework and encourage children to enjoy learning. Staff understand that children may have had difficult experiences at school previously. Staff provide children with the help they need to overcome difficulties and progress academically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive the specialist emotional and mental health support that they need. This has included counselling and life-story work to help children to address the impact of early childhood experiences. Staff provide the nurturing care that children need through this often difficult process.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views matter to the manager and staff. Staff hold regular meetings with children to capture their views about the day-to-day running of the home. The meetings also provide children with the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have. Children Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 4 know how to complain. They have a range of professionals to turn to if they are unhappy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children undertake a wide range of activities, such as swimming, cooking and playing games with staff. This helps to develop strong relationships between the children and those caring for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Decision-making about new admissions does not take account of the views of staff about matching new children with those living at the home or of the behaviours that staff feel able to manage safely.

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

Staff have provided care to children who have displayed damaging and violent behaviours. They have shown considerable resilience. Staff resilience and empathy for children in crisis are enhanced because they have a clear understanding of the underlying causes of such behaviours. They have maintained clear boundaries and provided consistent responses. Managers and staff have learned valuable lessons. After children have moved on from the home, staff have been allowed time to regroup and reflect. The home is now stable and providing good care to the remaining resident.

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

Staff and managers understand the opportunities and risks associated with social media and internet use. Staff carry out specific risk assessments in conjunction with placing local authorities. Staff supervise children’s use of social media and the internet well, balancing children’s enjoyment of social media with protective monitoring.

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

Children are safer because the manager and staff carry out accurate, detailed risk assessments. These assessments cover a wide range of activities and areas of risk. Consequently, staff have a good understanding of the strategies in place to manage risks.

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

Safeguarding systems are effective. Staff understand the actions that they should take if they have concerns about their colleagues. They also understand the policies and procedures in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes to the leadership of the home. The registered manager has left her post. A qualified and experienced acting manager has been appointed to lead the home until a new manager is identified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager has been quick to implement a number of improvements to the day- to-day operation of the home. Staff are positive about these changes. Morale has improved. The acting manager has completed a quality of care review, which has helped her to identify areas that require further development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Quality assurance processes are effective. This helps the manager to have a good Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 5 understanding of children’s needs and to understand the progress that they are making. The manager receives comprehensive and insightful reports from the independent visitor that help her to address shortfalls and build on strengths.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a visible presence in the home. She has developed a very good relationship with the current resident. They undertake activities together, and the child knows that she can turn to the manager at any time.

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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: SC363384 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

Phillip Morris, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC363384 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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