Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 1 SC370899

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since November 2022 and registered in January 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 22 November 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children like living in this home. They get on well with each other and have good relationships with staff. Staff and children like spending time together. They enjoy activities such as film nights and games in the home. One child described the home as ‘very chilled’.

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The care of children

Children enjoy activities together but also have their own hobbies and interests, including going to a youth club, skating and swimming. Staff encourage children to explore new experiences, which builds their confidence.

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The care of children

Children and staff are following a healthy eating and exercise programme. Children take responsibility for researching healthy meals, planning a menu, shopping and cooking. The manager is collaborating with the school to ensure that everyone consistently follows the healthy eating plans.

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The care of children

Children do very well at school. Their attendance is excellent, and they are making good progress. They enjoy telling staff about their school day and what they have learned.

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The care of children

One child has left the home since the last inspection. This was a planned move to foster care.

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The care of children

The manager is improving the quality of written reports and plans and the language used when writing about children.

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The safety of children

Staff know how to keep children safe. They have learned from an earlier serious incident and previous allegations and their practice has improved. Staff’s practice and the culture of the home are open and transparent.

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The safety of children

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. They have completed training in managing allegations, keeping children safe, whistle-blowing and professional boundaries. Staff reflect on their learning during supervision sessions and team meetings. Staff and managers now report and investigate incidents and allegations appropriately.

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The safety of children

Staff rarely need to use physical intervention. On the occasions that they have intervened, it has been necessary to keep children safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 3 Staff understand the risks children face. They implement the strategies in each child’s risk management plan, which reduces risk and keeps children safe. Staff update plans with new strategies and learning from incidents. They also record progress in reducing risk.

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The safety of children

Children currently living in the home have not gone missing. There have been no complaints from children or others since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager was appointed in November 2022, at a time when the organisation was investigating a serious incident and the full inspection had found several serious concerns. She has addressed all the requirements made at the full inspection and has made significant improvements to staff’s practice. She has worked with the responsible individual and the staff to create a new vision for the home, and staff are ‘buying into’ the new ways of working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff now communicate well with each other. Teams are working less in silos and handovers are more effective. Staff feel safe to challenge and share good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has appointed new staff, and they are supported by staff from other homes in the organisation which are currently closed for refurbishment. The manager is currently recruiting more senior members of staff. A recently appointed safeguarding champion reinforces recent learning from incidents and allegations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has improved the monitoring and oversight of the home. She responds to shortfalls found by the independent person and shares actions with the staff team. Her daily monitoring processes give her an overview of the children’s care and progress. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/02/2020 Full Outstanding 18/12/2018 Full Outstanding Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 5

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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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Inspector

Judith Longden, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 6 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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