Children's Home run by Kewel Care Limited in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 1 Registered provider: Kelwel Care Limited Full 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 organisation. It provides care for one child with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2022.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the home registered with Ofsted in April 2022, two children have moved into the home and one child has moved on from the home. At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has an education place. Staff are sensitive to the child’s individual needs and are aware of other influences that have an impact on the child’s ability to learn. Staff support the child to engage in one-to-one tutoring. Staff’s understanding and support enable the child to progress and learn at a pace that is appropriate to him.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has opportunities to try a wide range of new activities and experiences which have included go-karting, laser tag, swimming and box fit. The child has enjoyed a week away at the seaside. Staff and the child have taken part in a charity walk for a hospice and hosted a coffee morning which raised £1000.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a strong focus on supporting the child’s relationships with their family and friends. The staff ensure that the child stays in touch with family members. Staff advocated for the child to work towards overnight stays with their family and to develop their friendships. A parent said that she feels very welcome at the home and has been to a barbeque hosted by the staff. The child feels loved and valued. Parents feel included.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves in and out of the home are planned and managed sensitively. Staff ensured that the child who moved out of the home was well prepared before they moved on. The manager and staff provided further outreach support for several weeks after the child had moved out. The child experienced a positive ending and remains in touch with people who are important to him.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The well-decorated home is small, cosy and welcoming. There are photos of the child displayed around the home. There is a small back garden for the child to enjoy. The child benefits from a positive environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have given the child minimal information on some health concerns that affect the child. Although the child has had routine health appointments, the manager has not ensured that the child has accessed specialist support for smoking cessation and substance misuse, which could impact on their long-term health.

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

The child feels safe at the home. The manager has ensured that the staff have appropriate safeguarding training. The staff understand and implement the safeguarding procedures. They confidently manage safeguarding incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 4 The child living at the home and the child who moved on from the home both have incidents of going missing from the home. The staff manage these incidents well. The child who is living at the home said that they rarely go missing now because staff have listened to their views and treated them fairly. The manager agrees safety plans with the children’s social workers and requests multi-agency meetings when required. The plans include sharing relevant information with other agencies, including the British Transport Police. Working collaboratively has meant that missing-from-home incidents have significantly reduced.

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

The staff have not used physical intervention. Staff use their relationships with the child to encourage positive behaviours.

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

The child has external specialist interventions and an individualised behaviour support plan that clearly guide the staff. Detailed plans and consistent approaches from the staff help the child to manage their behaviour safely. The child was involved in writing their behaviour support plan and benefits from support that they prefer. Unwanted behaviours have significantly reduced.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced. She holds a relevant level 5 qualification and has a degree in health and social care. She is a positive role model to staff and provides excellent care for children. Staff are enthusiastic and caring and provide therapeutic, child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from regular and effective supervision. They receive good guidance from the manager. Staff said that the manager is approachable, and they really enjoy working at the home. Staff have access to one-to-one support from the in- house psychologist. Staff morale is high, and staff are motivated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A social worker and parents spoke highly of the home. They are impressed with the quality of therapeutic care and the effectiveness of the manager. The manager and staff have good relationships with professionals and parents, ensuring joined-up working and good outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager monitors and reviews the home effectively. She attends regular residential provider forums, and she has had an independent review of the home by an external professional. The manager is committed to driving improvement in children’s care experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The independent person’s reports are of good quality and include feedback from children, parents and professionals. The independent person makes appropriate recommendations which help the manager improve the quality of care that children receive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have a thorough induction and good training. They hold a relevant level 3 diploma or are working towards the qualification within timescales. Staff understand the therapeutic model used at the home. The manager and staff benefit from Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 5 regular consultations with a clinical psychologist to discuss the children’s support needs and implement strategies to help children. However, staff do not have substance misuse training. This does not equip them fully for their roles, given the child’s complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager generally ensures that children’s records are updated, accurate and of a good standard. However, the child’s care plan from the local authority is out of date. Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 6

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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 health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the child receives specialist support for smoking cessation and substance misuse. In addition, ensure that staff have regular informative discussions with the child about these health concerns. 16 December

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff access appropriate training, including training in substance misuse. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective, and clear recording. In particular, ensure that the local authority care plan is in date. (‘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 for children’s home: 2652535 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kelwel Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Jubilee House, The Drive, Brentwood CM13 3FR

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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2652535 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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