Children's home run by Keys Specialist Residential Children‟s Services Ltd in Tewkesbury

Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 1 SC434223 Registered provider: Keys Specialist Residential Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care and accommodation for up to two children with a variety of complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in August 2019 and is suitably qualified.

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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: good

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Good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/07/2021 Full Good 04/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/09/2019 Full Good 12/12/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in all areas of their development. Even those who have only been in the home for a short time are progressing in confidence and self- esteem. This is because staff go out of their way to welcome them into the home and spend time getting to know them well. There are clear plans in place for when children move in to the home. Children are able to visit the home before moving in. This helps to reduce children’s fear of the unknown and helps them to settle into their new home. Staff are nurturing. They work closely with children to help them to share their thoughts and feelings using a range of therapeutic methods, such as distraction boxes and well-being books. A development day has also been arranged where children can participate in a range of sensory awareness activities. As a result of good care and support, children are helped to develop trusting relationships and make significant progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Emphasis is given to helping children to express their thoughts and feelings about their care. Children actively participate in decisions about their care and have their say. The home is a warm and welcoming place for children to live. It is furnished to a high standard and is child centred, with toys, play equipment and photographs evident throughout the home. Children’s bedrooms are of a good size and personalised to their individual tastes. This helps children to settle in the home and develop a sense of self-worth. Children are supported to lead a healthy lifestyle. They regularly attend school and are doing well in their education. Children enjoy a good range of activities both in the home and out in the local community. These include arts and crafts, board games, badminton, swimming and attending the gym. One child’s social worker said that she was impressed with how quickly staff were able to motivate the child to get

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

involved in activities to develop her social skills and learn new skills, such as cooking.

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

Staff understand risks to children and respond quickly to any concerns that arise. They talk to children to raise their awareness of potential risks and help them to develop the understanding and skills they need to keep themselves safe. Allegations are taken seriously and are swiftly and effectively responded to, which promotes children’s safety and welfare. There is a range of risk assessments to ensure that children are safeguarded. However, the risk assessment around children’s bedroom alarms has not been Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 4 reviewed to ensure that it is necessary or proportionate. As a result, risk assessments relating to this may not accurately reflect children’s needs and development. Staff provide clear and consistent boundaries to ensure that children know what expectations are in place. Positive behaviour is reinforced and, as a result, the need for physical intervention is diminished.

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

Children in the home do not go missing from home. If children walk away from the home because they are upset, they are followed closely by staff and supported to return home safely. Staff recruitment procedures are thorough. This helps to ensure that staff working at the home are suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is motivated and she has high expectations for children and for what they can achieve. She has good oversight into the running of the home and a clear understanding of the home’s strengths and areas to develop. Although the home is currently settled, staff have faced considerable challenges over the previous year. Staff have worked hard to ensure children’s safety throughout this period. The manager has reflected on incidents to develop practice. She has improved the matching and transition process of children into the home. Staff are motivated and receive a wide range of training opportunities to meet the needs of the children. Training programmes are tailored to the specific needs of the children. However, staff do not receive training in water safety despite the home being close to a river and nearby pond. Staff feel supported by the manager and receive a high level of supervision that

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

supports their development. The manager also makes good use of team meetings to further support staff practice and development. The manager has developed effective working relationships with placing social workers and other external professionals. Placing social workers are overwhelmingly positive about the home and the quality of care given to the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 5

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, consider the use of door alarms to determine if they are necessary and proportionate for all children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Recommendations

 The registered provider should ensure that staff skills for safeguarding should include being able to identify signs that children may be at risk, and support children in strategies to manage and reduce any risks. In particular, consider risks in the locality relating to water and what training staff need in order to mitigate risks posed to children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.10)

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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: SC434223 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Specialist Residential Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Suzanne Young, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC434223 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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