Children's Home run by Keys ACE Limited in Bury

Assurance visit report: SC420388 1 SC420388

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since August 2019.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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: SC420388 2

p.1

The care of children

This home provides a nurturing, warm and welcoming environment for children and young people. A personalised feel has been created with the use of soft furnishings and photographs of children, young people and staff. Children and young people are included in decisions about the home and talk about having choices, including in the plans for some areas of the home to be redecorated and refurbished.

p.2

The care of children

Children and young people say they are happy. They benefit from strong, secure and trusting relationships with staff who understand them. Staff provide clear and consistent boundaries that help children and young people feel cared for and secure.

p.2

The care of children

Children are listened to. They know how to raise concerns and are supported by staff who engage with the wider system to ensure that their needs are being met. Professionals talk positively about the progress children and young people are making at the home and the high levels of care provided.

p.2

The care of children

Where it is appropriate, staff help children and young people to stay in touch with people who are important to them. Children and young people have used technology and outdoor spaces to maintain contact with family members during the pandemic. They have also made use of the space available to them at the home, which has enabled social distancing to be maintained.

p.2

The care of children

Staff work closely with the in-house therapist and promote health and well-being in subtle but effective ways. Children and young people are encouraged to develop reflection skills, self-awareness and empathy. They are provided with opportunities to access a healthier lifestyle and are supported to take part in a range of physical activities, including reflection walks, team sports, accessing activity centres and pursuing personal fitness goals. Children and young people have access to health professionals when required, and staff are proactive in seeking medical advice and attention as needed.

p.2

The care of children

Staff work closely with education providers to ensure that children and young people have positive learning experiences. The staff delivered a programme of home- schooling during the period when schools were only open to some children due to COVID-19 restrictions and provided opportunities for children and young people to learn new skills and develop confidence.

p.2

The safety of children

Children and young people say they feel safe. They say that they trust the staff and know that the staff team is there to help them. Guidance and expectations around COVID-19 are understood by children and young people, and there are clear procedures and routines in place to reduce the risk of infection.

p.2

The safety of children

Staff are consistent in their approach to safeguarding children and young people. Children and young people’s vulnerabilities are well understood and reflected in robust risk assessments which staff use to keep children and young people safe. Assurance visit report: SC420388 3 Behaviour management plans are detailed, and strategies focus on praise and reward. Sanctions are used infrequently and, when they are used, the focus is on reparation.

p.2

The safety of children

Professionals report feeling that children and young people are safe and that staff know how to respond to incidents. Any shortfalls are quickly identified and thoroughly addressed by the manager. Staff have a good understanding of missing from home procedures and take a proactive approach to locating young people. A social worker reported that, ‘Staff did an incredible job managing the risks for [Name of young person]; their communication was amazing, and they managed to keep everyone as safe as possible despite the additional challenges around COVID-19.’

p.3

The safety of children

Transitions are well managed. Detailed plans are in place to support children and young people joining or leaving the home. The manager seeks clarity about children and young people’s needs to make informed decisions around matching.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The home is managed by an experienced registered manager who has been in post since August 2019. The home benefits from her clear leadership and guidance. She has made a number of changes to improve the service, including introducing consistent approaches to care and driving the team to achieve positive outcomes for children and young people.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The home has a relatively new but stable staff team. The team works collaboratively to care for children and young people, and staff morale is high.

p.3

Leaders and managers

Staff benefit from having access to regular, quality supervisions that provide opportunities for development and reflection. Regular team meetings incorporate ways for staff to develop their understanding of children and young people’s needs and improve practice. Staff have the relevant skills and experience to meet the needs of the children and young people in placement. They are supported to access training, achieve relevant qualifications and progress in their roles.

p.3

Leaders and managers

The manager has clear oversight of the home. She regularly consults with children, young people and stakeholders and uses feedback to improve the experiences for children and young people. The manager has also implemented rigorous monitoring systems which she uses to review the care provided, and she is not afraid to challenge other professionals when needed. One professional said, ‘Staff have high expectations regarding the service young people receive’ and ‘It is clear that they put the young people first.’

p.3

Leaders and managers

The requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been met. Assurance visit report: SC420388 4

p.3

Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) While efforts have been made to provide a nurturing and supportive environment, some areas of the home are in need of redecoration following maintenance work, and the kitchen would benefit from refurbishment.  Any home using CCTV or other monitoring equipment should have a written policy describing how this will support the safeguarding and well-being of those living and working in the home in accordance with regulation 24. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.16) This is specifically in relation to reviewing whether surveillance is required for all children and young people in the home.

p.4

Children’s home details

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

p.4

Inspectors

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Mark Broomhead, Regulatory Inspection Manager Assurance visit report: SC420388 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.

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.5

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.5

Inspectors

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

p.5

Inspectors

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

p.5