Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children aged between 10 and 18. The home specialises in providing therapeutic care for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 9 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/02/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection. This is a settled home in which staff help children to enjoy predictable daily routines. The support that children receive is helping them to make progress from their individual starting points and to address previous traumatic or negative experiences. The manager and staff know children very well and are ambitious for them to realise their potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children regularly attend school or education provisions. This has been an important step for one child, who had previously been out of school for a long period. Professionals said that the manager and staff have been tenacious in finding a specialist school placement for another child. They described the manager as going ‘over and above’ expectations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been actively supported by staff to quickly settle into their new school and make friendships with peers. This has led to play dates, friends staying for tea and invites to birthday parties. This was the expressed wish of the child when moving into the home. The child said, ‘I feel proud to show other kids my home.’ Children are helped to build positive relationships and feel settled.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to lead healthy lifestyles, including eating healthily and doing regular exercise. Staff have individual sessions with children to help them understand their bodies and changes they will experience. Staff use games and objects of reference for children with special educational needs. Staff ensure that children do not miss healthcare appointments, and provide emotional support for children to overcome fears.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in beneficial and enjoyable activities, including holidays and special days out, such as to watch their favourite Premier League football team play. Children have become active members of local football teams and Sea Cadet groups, joining community tournaments and national parades. This has helped children to make new friendships and feel secure in their community. During the inspection, children were getting ready for their activities with excitement. They were organising their kit and letting staff know where and when they needed to be somewhere. Children build their independence and resilience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from having a settled and undisrupted experience of living at the home. Children who have had multiple moves in the past have been able to enjoy a sustained period living at the home. Children’s self-care and independence skills have improved with guidance and support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house is spacious with a large garden in which children can play football, grow vegetables and relax. Children’s own spaces are personal to them. Children can keep pets, which helps them settle and feel secure. Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 4

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff help children to stay safe through good levels of supervision and talking with them about safety. Staff ensure that children understand the reasons why staff have consistent boundaries and expectations. Staff have created imaginative ways to help children talk, express themselves and explore emotions. This includes a board game devised to take the place of a usual-style children’s meeting. Children have embraced this and really enjoy taking part. Staff map and review children’s participation and progress, which leads to individual topics for key-work sessions.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have developed positive and respectful relationships with each other. Staff encourage these relationships and provide children with guidance and explanations, and model kindness to others. Children are given praise and rewards for achievement and progress.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments clearly identify any actions that staff need to take to help keep children safe. Learning form incidents is used to further develop care plans and is reviewed in depth during team meetings and reflective practice sessions following the safe and sound principles. These sessions include senior managers and the home’s therapy staff.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children engage in restorative practice when they make mistakes. Staff encourage learning and embrace suggestions from children when they want to put things right. This helps children to feel valued and develop compassion.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children said that they feel safe. All staff undertake safeguarding training and know the provider’s system for reporting concerns. Staff can identify concerns of exploitation, gang affiliation, radicalisation and online abuse. However, not all staff are familiar with the details and functions of the Office of the Children’s Commissioner. It is important that staff have this knowledge so that they can direct children to the Office of the Children’s Commissioner should children want to request its support.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Recruitment processes are robust and ensure that applicants are suitable to work with vulnerable children. Interviews with prospective staff explore how the applicant, if appointed, would treat children with kindness and respect.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified for the role. Professionals report very good working relationships with the manager and staff. The home’s leadership team works closely with the provider’s therapy team. Staff describe the manager as a role model who inspires them to seek the best care and opportunities for children. Staff are passionate about their work with the children and enjoy their roles at the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 5 The manager has made improvements to ensure that the care provided is in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Therapeutic support is provided following recognised models of care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The manager is an experienced practitioner and trainer in this. Staff said that they benefit from this knowledge and develop the skills that they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings and supervision sessions are regular and effective, and they focus on the children’s experiences. These meetings encourage staff to reflect on their practice. Staff said that this approach has been essential for learning from a recent and challenging placement breakdown, helping to build team morale and individual resilience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff help children to maintain and re-establish relationships with their families. The home’s therapeutic approach supports this. Staff use one-to-one sessions with children to help prepare them emotionally for these visits. This includes making gifts to take and share with relatives. Professionals said that the manager and staff provide consistent and dedicated support to ensure that these visits take place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring and assurance systems have developed since the last inspection. The manager and regional leadership team have developed a culture of continual learning, regularly seeking feedback from children, staff and external professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children in their care understand their rights as a looked-after child, or child living in a children’s home. Children must be informed of how to contact the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for advice and assistance about their rights and entitlements. In particular, ensure that staff know the required information to share with children so that they can make contact if they wish. (‘Guide to Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.19)

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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: 2596476 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Jamie Cousins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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