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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 1 Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. The home provides care for up to four children who may have social and emotional needs.

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Inspection date: 21 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 21 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, COVID-19 restrictions have eased, and the registered manager has returned to working in the home. Her presence helps to build a stable staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and the manager have held regular team meetings and supervision sessions with staff to embed the home’s statement of purpose. They arrange consultations with the in-house clinical team. This increases the confidence and knowledge of staff to develop effective strategies to support the children. For example, staff have undertaken bereavement training to help understand how loss affects the children’s behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager uses a new risk assessment template to identify how to meet the needs of children arriving at the home. One child arrived at the home last year in a planned way. He has successfully become part of the home. While the children have varying interests, they co-exist happily together. The manager carefully assesses children’s needs against the home’s locality risk assessment.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and the manager raise concerns about the children’s educational provision. They use various approaches, from making a formal complaint to having regular conversations with the local authority, to make sure that the children have an effective education. Staff are creative in planning educational activities to make sure that the children learn something useful every day. Children have regular tutors. One child has found a place at a local school.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff encourage the children to have their favourite things in their rooms, including a much loved hamster. They have positive relationships with the children and their families and make sure that the children can see their families. They join in with the children’s activities and help the children to build their self-worth and confidence. They talk to the children about their aspirations for the future. For example, one child has recently joined a local cadet group. This supports his ambition to join the armed forces.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager is developing child-centred plans. The child can contribute to each section of their plan. The manager can demonstrate that the children are making progress. However, leaders and managers recognise that the plans can be further simplified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers support the staff to achieve continuing professional development. All training is up to date and relevant to meet the children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 3 The manager continues to update a development plan and to analyse the home’s strengths and weaknesses to make it more effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The requirements and one recommendation (in relation to education) from the last inspection are met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The other recommendation remains in place as the children’s wishes are not consistently set out in the house meeting book. Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/02/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/04/2019 Full Good 07/01/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should encourage children to see the home’s records as living documents, supporting children to view and contribute to the record on a regular basis in a way that reflects their voice. In particular, ensure person- centred plans are introduced and the house meeting book reflects the children’s wishes. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19)

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Information about this inspection

This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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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 for children’s home: 1239953 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

Justine Hosking, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1239953 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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