Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Hampshire

Assurance visit report: SC412476 1 SC412476

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a national private organisation. It can accommodate up to four children with emotional behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 11 February 2020

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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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).

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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.

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Information about this visit

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

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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.

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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: SC412476 2

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The care of children

Children were very happy to show off their home to the inspector. They develop trusting and caring relationships with staff, and children are complimentary about the care they receive. Staff understand the children’s individual needs, and they work cohesively to deliver well-thought-out care. Staff understand the impact that trauma has had on the children, and they provide effective care to promote equality and positive outcomes for those in their care.

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The care of children

During lockdown, the staff have kept up to date with the latest Public Health England guidance on COVID-19 and have delivered an action plan to ensure that the children are fully informed and kept safe. Staff practice has been exemplary during the lockdown period. They have introduced measures and routines to ensure that lockdown has had a minimal impact on the lives of children. One child has benefited from a structured transition programme to support them to move into the home during the lockdown period. All children have benefited from a diverse and creative activity programme that has been tailored to their individual interests.

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The care of children

Children have continued to make progress with their education during lockdown. Staff have maintained good communication with schools and have supported the children to access learning materials and resources that have been sent from each child’s school. One child was engaged with online learning, supported by the virtual school, during the assurance visit. Staff have been creative in planning and engaging children in other activities that have supported children’s emotional and social development.

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The care of children

Staff have made positive use of online technology to support children to keep in touch with family and friends when face-to-face contact is not possible.

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The care of children

The home is well kept, and each child’s bedroom has their own personal touches to enhance their sense of belonging.

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The safety of children

Staff have kept up to date with relevant safeguarding training and are clear in their understanding of their own role in safeguarding children. Staff place the safety of children at the centre of their planning. Risks are identified during the referral and admission process and well managed.

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The safety of children

Episodes of significant behaviour and children going missing from home are rare. All children have plans to support their individual needs. Each child has an individual incentive chart that promotes positive behaviour. Staff are proactive in gaining the children’s wishes and feelings and take prompt action to ensure the children feel listened to and supported.

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The safety of children

Children are supported to take part in key-work sessions that help them to explore relevant issues and to help them to develop socially and emotionally. Staff are sensitive to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s psychological well- Assurance visit report: SC412476 3 being. They reflect carefully on how this influences children’s behaviour. Regular team meetings and debrief meetings, with support from the home’s attached clinical team, help to develop effective support strategies to minimise the psychological impact of lockdown.

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The safety of children

Staff have managed to maintain their skills and competency with regard to safeguarding and behaviour management, despite the challenges of limited face-to- face training. Staff have made good use of online resources and are rapidly re- engaging with training refreshers and face-to-face events now that this is possible.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager acknowledges her team faced significant challenges at the time of the last inspection. Staff morale was low and the atmosphere in the home was unsettled. The registered manager has worked tirelessly to address these concerns. She now has an effective and productive staff team that is supporting the children to make good progress.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has an ambitious vision for her home which she makes clear in well-developed plans.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager maintains scrutiny of all practice in the home. She supports staff to debrief and complete reflective reports after serious incidents. These reports identify key areas of learning for staff. The registered manager places importance on both internal and external monitoring and values the role they play in the continuous development of the home. However, monthly monitoring reports from the responsible individual lack detail and are often not linked to daily practice.

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Leaders and managers

Professionals from partner agencies speak highly of the staff and the registered manager. They describe good levels of communication and strong childcare practice. They give examples of the progress that children have made, including improved emotional well-being, ability to regulate emotions, and adherence to boundaries.

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Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from excellent levels of support from line managers and the clinical team. They also state that training is of a consistently high quality and gives them the necessary knowledge and skills to fulfil their roles. However, many staff do not receive formal supervision at the frequency stated in the home’s staffing policies.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has guided the team expertly throughout lockdown to provide children with the security and safety they need to continue to thrive.

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Leaders and managers

The requirements made at the last inspection have been met. Assurance visit report: SC412476 4

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (2)(h)) 31/10/2020

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Requirement Due date

Employment of staff The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b)) 31/10/2020

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Michelle Callard

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Inspector

Paul Thomas, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC412476 5 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.

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