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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 1 SC001016 Registered provider: Keys BR Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned and run. It provides care for up to four children between five and 18 years old who may have social and emotional difficulties. The home prepares children to return to their families, or to move on to foster care or independence.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2013.

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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

Date of last inspection: 7 September 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/09/2021 Full Outstanding 26/02/2020 Full Good 12/02/2019 Full Good 08/08/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 3

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outstanding

Children who live in the home make exceptional progress from their starting points. The registered manager inspires a nurturing and loving team of staff who keep children at the centre of everything they do. The staff recognise that building trusting relationships with the children is essential to promote all elements of the children’s well-being. The children have clear and consistent boundaries and receive care that is delivered with a nurturing approach. The staff, associated professionals and the children describe themselves as a ‘family unit’. The secure base this home provides gives children a firm foundation to succeed.

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outstanding

The staff champion children’s rights. They routinely encourage children to speak up for themselves over important issues as well as everyday matters. In one instance, major changes had been planned for one child but the home and the child had not been included in decision-making processes. The registered manager requested an advocate for the child to ensure that their views were heard. This resulted in a positive outcome for the child.

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outstanding

The staff are fully aware of the importance of children’s relationships with their families and others, such as previous foster carers. This includes working hard to locate family members that children may have lost contact with. The staff provide support to help children rebuild relationships with their families. Because of this, children are able to maintain these relationships and they have regular contact with people they love and care about. One family member described the work the home does as ‘priceless’.

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outstanding

Children take part in a wide range of activities. Staff ensure that they balance one-to- one time with children and shared time with the group. Children create memory books with staff to record happy times and new experiences. Children build links in their community by playing sports, going swimming and attending youth groups. This helps them to make local friends outside the home.

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outstanding

Staff prioritise children’s happiness and emotional well-being. They act on guidance from therapists who support them as a team. This helps the staff to be consistent in their care of the children. Children said that they can talk to any member of staff if they are upset or need help, and actively seek out staff to talk about anything that may be bothering them. The staff embrace any opportunity to engage with the children. This has helped children to develop skills and enjoy new experiences.

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outstanding

Children are listened to and their views are valued by the staff. Staff record children’s requests in a ‘you said, we did’ log to ensure that they are acted on. The staff take every opportunity to capture the children’s thoughts. Children said that staff listen to them and care for them. Some children recently recorded their views in a short film to share. Children feel loved and well cared for. Children have a stable home that gives Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 4 them the confidence to take chances and to try new experiences. One child said, ‘The staff care for me, and I care for them; I love them, and they love me too.’ The child also said, ‘Living here has helped me grow a lot. I’m happy and I’m chilled now.’

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outstanding

Children’s achievements are clearly celebrated in the home, with pictures, certificates, rewards and incentives on display. Children recognise that staff are proud of them and want them to do well. The staff attend important days with the children, such as sports day or parents’ evenings at school.

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outstanding

School attendance and engagement are excellent and children often make accelerated progress with reading. Reading at home and other homework are supported daily by staff. A quiet space has been created in the home to support children to complete homework. Children have a positive approach to learning and do well at school. The staff’s high expectations encourage the children to achieve. The children are clear about their future careers, and they are planning for adulthood. Feedback from children’s schools is excellent.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing since the last inspection. The registered manager has effective systems in place with detailed plans to guide staff should a child go missing. The home is part of a multi-agency forum that focuses on children who may go missing from care. Staff know what to do if children go missing, and they receive regular training to support this. Up-to-date information from these meetings ensures that staff remain aware of local risks to children.

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

The home takes a positive approach to consequences for children’s unwanted behaviours. The use of incentives and positive rewards outweighs any consequences. Staff ensure that any consequences are proportionate, and managers review these. This approach raises children’s self-esteem as their achievements are celebrated.

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

Physical interventions are only used as a last resort. Staff are skilled at using distraction techniques and other approaches to help children who are upset. When a physical intervention is used, it is recorded in detail. Debriefs and reflections with staff and children are thorough and plans are updated to support both children and staff to understand why incidents occurred. Staff help the children to find alternative strategies for managing their behaviours in future.

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

Risks within the home are well managed. The registered manager has a positive approach to children taking age-appropriate risks. Risk assessments are thorough and are regularly reviewed. Staff receive timely and effective training in how to manage a variety of risks. Staff spend a great deal of time speaking with children about risks and children learn to keep themselves safe.

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

The registered manager ensures that all staff go through safe recruitment processes. Checks are made and verified before staff can work in the home. This ensures that children are safeguarded from adults who may pose a risk. Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 5 The registered manager sends notifications to relevant parties in a timely manner. However, one incident was not notified to Ofsted. This prevents the regulator from having an overview of the safety of children living in the home. Appropriate steps were taken at the time by the registered manager to safeguard children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is ambitious for the children and inspires the team to improve the lives of children. He is zealous about providing the very highest standards of care for children and leads by example. The registered manager’s positivity motivates the staff. He is an effective leader and there is a culture of respect within the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager listens to staff and children and consistently seeks out opportunities to gather their feedback. The feedback is used to improve the home and the children’s experiences. This makes children and staff feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

New staff have a comprehensive induction plan and complete mandatory training. They shadow experienced staff and complete training relevant to the children’s needs. Additional training is provided as new children come into the home. Only staff who are trained within the organisation work in the home. This promotes stability and consistency for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager and staff work with therapists and other professionals to improve the support they give to children. The staff team is committed to making a difference to the children’s well-being. Excellent communication exists between the staff and external professionals. Feedback from all professionals is overwhelmingly positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff receive regular supervision. This is child-focused and includes reflection and challenge around practice. Developments in social care research are discussed in supervisions and team meetings. This develops staff’s understanding of evidence-based theory and research. Staff have annual appraisals, which include relevant targets for the coming year. This means that well-trained, motivated and supportive staff consistently care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have created detailed action plans to develop the service and many positive changes have been implemented since the last inspection. These improvements give the team a clear plan to follow, which continually raises the standard of care in the home and improves the lives of children living there.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager supports the children and staff to challenge practice if they believe something is not correct. One child was supported by the registered manager to express their views around their future care to their social worker. The child’s concerns were listened to and the local authority changed the plans for the child in response to the child’s wishes. The best outcomes for children are always at the heart of decisions made in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered persons must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered persons must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c)(e)) 3 February 2023

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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: SC001016 7

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Children’s home details

Unique reference number: SC001016 ‘ Provision sub-type: Children’s home

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Carol Jagger, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC001016 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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