Children's home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report children's home: SC433286 1 SC433286 Registered provider: Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to three children, aged up to 18 years, with social and/or emotional difficulties. The regis- tered manager has been in post since March 2018.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We lasted visited this setting on 2 and 3 March 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: SC433286 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/07/2019 Full Good 26/02/2019 Full Good 31/10/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC433286 3

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outstanding

The children are making significant progress in all areas of their lives. Staff provide the children with excellent routines, with clear and consistent boundaries that enable the children to feel safe and develop a sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Staff know the children very well and demonstrate professional curiosity about the children. They spend quality time with them, listen to them, have a genuine interest in their welfare and advocate strongly for them.

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outstanding

The staff recognise the importance of identifying the many talents that the children possess. They use these talents to support children effectively to build their confidence and self-esteem. For example, staff have identified that one child has a talent for judo, so have enrolled them in a club, where they excel and are now taking part in competitions.

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outstanding

The home is very homely, spacious, clean and tidy. The children’s bedrooms are personalised. The children like their bedrooms, where their privacy is respected. Any damage to the home is promptly repaired.

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outstanding

Healthy eating is promoted in the home. The children report that they like the food and they enjoy eating together with the staff, which promotes a sense of family and unity. This is important for the children’s sense of belonging and emotional well- being.

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outstanding

The children’s health needs are fully met. Staff support the children effectively to prepare for and attend any medical appointments. Staff have effective relationships with health professionals to ensure that the children’s health needs are met. The staff advocate for children if they have unmet medical needs, so that the appropriate medical interventions are obtained.

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outstanding

Children make excellent educational progress from their starting points. Staff are aspirational and ambitious for the children. For example, one child has made so much progress since moving into the home that they were able to move from a special school and are now making progress at a mainstream school.

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outstanding

When children are new to the home, they are welcomed sensitively and with careful and considered planning. The views of the other children living in the home are actively sought before a child is admitted to the home. When children leave the home, the staff maintain relationships with children to ensure they continue to feel cared about and supported.

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outstanding

Inspection report children's home: SC433286 4 The home has a robust and effective system to review and update risk assessments. The knowledge and expertise of the staff ensure that there is effective planning and oversight to reduce any risks.

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outstanding

Staff understand the possible risks of using the internet and they help to inform and educate the children on issues such as bullying and exploitation. The children’s use of the internet and social media is regularly monitored and there are effective safeguarding controls in place. Children are encouraged and supported to discuss any concerns with the staff and staff have a professional curiosity about the children’s use of the internet.

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outstanding

The children state that they feel safe and can identify a trusted adult who they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns. Staff are vigilant in their care of the children. They take effective and timely action to address any issues and this helps the children to feel safe and confident in the care staff provide.

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outstanding

Staff are skilled at supporting the children to take age-appropriate risks. This increases the children’s sense of worth and self-esteem. The children are encouraged to engage in new activities and sports of their choice. This has helped to improve the children’s sense of belonging and improved their confidence. For example, one child was supported by staff to help plan a trip to London. As the child has a special interest in history, the child was supported to visit a museum to enhance his knowledge.

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outstanding

There are few missing-from-home incidents. When these have occurred, there is a clear protocol with the local police and other agencies, which the staff follow to ensure that they prioritise the children’s welfare. The children are aware of the protocol and incidents are managed well and return home interviews carried out.

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outstanding

Recruitment procedures are comprehensive and ensure that only vetted people work with the children. There is a highly positive team culture and staff are aware of the whistle-blowing policy and say they would use this if necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is skilled and experienced, he has created a positive, nurturing culture and demonstrates an ability to lead his team effectively. He understands the home’s strengths and weaknesses well. Staff, respect him and value his support. The manager values training and professional development. He identifies and responds promptly to training needs and reflects on practice and learning opportunities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff have specific roles and responsibilities. They are clear about the aims of the home and expectations and report any concerns to the manager for his oversight. There is a positive team culture and staff value and promote this. Staff report that they feel supported by the manager and he promotes positive morale in the home. This means that, in turn, the staff can provide excellent support to the children. Inspection report children's home: SC433286 5 The staff team is consistent and stable and staff will cover additional shifts as required, so that the children are cared for by people they know. Staff comment that the home is run very much like a family home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff are strong advocates for children. The team works well with partner agencies to achieve good outcomes. For example, when a child was due to leave the home, the staff advocated effectively to find the child suitable supported accommodation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are committed to improving the outcomes for the children in their care. The staff have high aspirations and facilitate opportunities for the children to succeed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The views of the children already living in the home are actively sought and acted upon. The manager ensures that the children are consulted regarding any changes to the children’s guide and the children are involved in reviewing and updating this. Inspection report children's home: SC433286 6

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Recommendation

 Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective recording. This particularly refers to ensuring that records of restraint provide a clear and accurate record of each incident. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC433286 7

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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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Inspectors

Claire Drummond, Social Care Inspector Tina Maddison, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: SC433286 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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