Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 1 SC421063 Registered provider: Keys Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a group of homes that make up the Cross-Regional Project, which has been set up between Keys Group and four local authorities: Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. The home provides care for up to four children who may experience social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since May 2020 and is suitably qualified.

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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: 28 September 2021

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/09/2021 Full Good 26/06/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/07/2018 Full Good 13/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 3

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outstanding

The staff and children share caring, respectful and kind relationships. There is a family feel to the home, which is embedded in staff’s practice and their responses to children. Children like spending time with the staff and enjoy positive childhood experiences.

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has remained living in the home, two children have moved on to independent living and one child has reunited with their family. Three children have since moved into the home. All the children are very settled and are making exceptional progress because of the support that they receive.

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outstanding

The manager understands the significance of high-quality planning for children. Comprehensive records are kept which demonstrate sensitive, child-centred practice. The registered manager and staff team thoughtfully consider the way in which children move into and out of the home. They reflect on all aspects of children’s needs and how staff will meet these. This helps children to settle quickly and thrive.

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outstanding

The staff ensure that children learn about current affairs, identity and culture. This is so that they can engage with their friends and be aware of social issues that affect people around the world. There is a high expectation on children to have a meaningful education. Staff and the registered manager are passionate about children’s futures and ensuring that they are given the best chance to succeed when they leave the home. Communication between staff and education providers is excellent and supports children’s progress.

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outstanding

Together, the children and staff have created a relaxed and safe home. There is a comfortable atmosphere where laughter, individuality and tolerance are encouraged. Children’s meetings are interactive and have meaning. Recently, the children completed a first-aid course during their meeting. This gives children important life skills. There are chickens and ducks in the garden, and a wildlife area has been established at the front of the home to provide a protected space due to commercial expansion in the local area.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are promoted. All children are in good health and enjoy a range of food. Children with additional health needs have made progress in their personal development due to the care given by staff to help them feel safe.

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outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff know their safeguarding responsibilities. He embeds theory into practice through formal learning opportunities. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 4 Children are very settled in the home. Consequently, there are rarely incidents that mean children are at risk. When risks are identified, staff implement comprehensive strategies to reduce these risks. Staff build very positive relationships with children. There have been no incidents when the use of restraint has been required.

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outstanding

The registered manager engages positively with the local community. For example, a ‘guardian group’ has been set up with the local neighbours. Neighbours recently came to a meeting at the home to talk about the local neighbourhood. They considered how local issues can affect children and how together they can create a safer community. A fundraising event is also planned to provide a defibrillator for the community.

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outstanding

Any concerns regarding staff practice are swiftly addressed and reported to the appropriate professionals. This is followed by restorative work between staff and children, where appropriate. The registered manager ensures that staff are recruited safely.

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outstanding

The staff ensure that children are provided with consistent care and boundaries. Positive behaviour is promoted, and there is a token and reward system in place for children to earn rewards. Staff will also implement consequences for children’s negative behaviour so that they can learn from this. On occasion, this is not restorative in nature. However, due to the excellent relationships between staff and children, this has minimal impact.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is inspirational, dedicated and passionate about the experiences that children have. Research-informed practice supports and improves the quality of care provided. Staff are passionate and highly committed. They are supportive of each other and are encouraged to share their views and ideas. The staff say that they feel like a family.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are passionate about the children they care for. They feel well supported by the registered manager. Staff have regular and reflective supervision and appraisals and are continually supported with their professional development. All staff have the required training and skills to care for the children and have a shared development plan that they are all working towards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager seeks external scrutiny and feedback from professionals. This is achieved through regular discussion, feedback and bespoke surveys. This supports the registered manager to constantly reflect on practice. Social workers speak very highly of the care provided by the staff and the registered manager. They particularly highlight the quality of children’s care planning and the continued support that each child receives.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The conscientious registered manager has highly effective monitoring systems to ensure that children receive excellent care. He sets an excellent example to the entire staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff understand the factors that affect children’s motivation to behave in a socially acceptable way. In particular, consequences should consistently be restorative in nature. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.13)

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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: SC421063 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: C/o Pinsent Masons LLP, The Soloist Building, 1 Lanyon Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT1 3LP

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Inspectors

Sara Stoker, Social Care Inspector Jane Balfe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC421063 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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