Children's home run by Keys Active 8 Care Limited in Rossendale

Assurance visit report: SC064428 1 SC064428

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to accommodate up to four young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private organisation.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home reopened in March 2020, when a new manager was recruited. The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 17 July 2020.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 28 February 2020

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not judged

p.1

Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

p.1

Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

p.1

Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

p.1

Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

p.1

Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC064428 2

p.1

The care of children

This home has been refurbished following a period of closure, and as a result, children are living in a well-maintained, nicely decorated and cosy home. The staff and managers have taken care to ensure that the home is personalised with pictures of the children and artwork made by them.

p.2

The care of children

Feedback from professionals, including children’s social workers is positive about the care being provided. An independent reviewing officer wrote: ‘[child’s name] is very happy and settled, he enjoys the one-to-one attention and staff manage the rules and boundaries well.’ One of the children said, ‘I love living at the home. I like the garden and the trampoline and I can talk to the staff.’

p.2

The care of children

Staff and education providers have worked well together to ensure that all children continue to learn and make progress in their education. One child was provided with a laptop by the school, and staff supported the child to complete the agreed work during the recent pandemic and restrictions. Another child who was recently admitted to the home has a personal tutor who provides 25 hours of home- schooling while a permanent provision is being sought.

p.2

The care of children

Managers and staff have undertaken direct work with children around the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in children producing a workbook of their activities. However, after one child showed symptoms of COVID-19 and went through the testing process, the staff failed to ensure that they followed government guidance. Staff continued to take children who needed to self-isolate out into the community and failed to explain to children what they needed to do to keep safe. Furthermore, a family member for the unwell child told the inspector that they were not updated by after staff obtained the result of the COVID-19 test.

p.2

The care of children

Children have continued to keep in touch with their families. Staff have been creative in the use of technology to enable families to communicate during times of lockdown and social distancing. However, family members spoken to during the assurance visit told inspectors that they would like more regular communication with the home to ensure that they are kept up to date with their children’s progress and welfare.

p.2

The safety of children

Incidents of aggression and violence between children have not been managed effectively. A lack of risk assessments and planning around these risks for children has resulted in an inconsistent staff response.

p.2

The safety of children

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the home has relied on the use of staff who work across the organisation to support the regular staff team. An unfamiliar staff member could not safely manage an incident of aggression between two children as they did not fully understand their needs. Furthermore, staff were not able to use physical restraint to prevent an incident escalating due to the second member on Assurance visit report: SC064428 3 shift not being adequately trained. This issue has been addressed by the manager by amending the rota to ensure that appropriately trained staff are supporting the children.

p.2

The safety of children

There have been several allegations made by children in the home, which have been investigated and referrals made to appropriate professionals. However, on one occasion, a child highlighted to a staff member that he had been harmed during a physical intervention. The staff member failed to identify this as an allegation and take appropriate action. This was identified by the manager during monitoring of the incident and has been addressed by further training in team meetings and during staff supervision.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager was registered in July 2020. She has a wealth of experience and has made a number of positive changes in the home. A staff member spoken to during the assurance visit said that they felt supported by the management team and said, ‘We are a small, consistent team.’

p.3

Leaders and managers

External monitoring has been successful in highlighting shortfalls in the home and the manager has worked quickly to rectify any identified issues. For example, poor processes in administering non-prescribed medication were identified by the independent visitor. The manager reviewed and improved the medication systems to ensure that these are robust. Staff were able to demonstrate to inspectors a thorough understanding of good practice in the administration and management of medication. Regular management audits also contribute to a system that is safe for children.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager provides detailed oversight and evaluation within the home. The manager consistently debriefs both staff and children following significant incidents and physical restraints. Any incident involving the registered manager is subject to oversight by the responsible individual.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Supervision records show examples of reflective practice and discussions of children’s needs and risks. However, the supervision of staff is not taking place in line with the home’s policy. This prevents the staff’s practice and care of the children being discussed and developed in a timely manner.

p.3

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. Assurance visit report: SC064428 4

p.3

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(i)(v)) 27/10/2020

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) 27/10/2020

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Active 8 Care Ltd

p.4

Children’s home details

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

p.4

Inspectors

Suzanne Birchall, Social Care Inspector Jessica Forshaw, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC064428 5 Assurance visit report: SC064428 6 to 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.

p.4

Inspectors

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspectors

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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspectors

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6