Children's Home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Suffolk

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 1 Registered provider: CF Social Work Limited

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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 run by an independent provider. The home cares for up to two children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2022.

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This monitoring visit

Following a full inspection in April 2023, Ofsted served a compliance notice in relation to serious shortfalls identified in the leadership and management of the home. On 23 May 2023, Ofsted conducted a monitoring visit. The purpose of this visit was to establish the provider’s progress in meeting the steps set out in the compliance notice. The inspector found that the provider has taken action to meet all the steps set out in the compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

Management capacity has increased. The registered manager, supported by a new senior support manager, maintains oversight of the children’s care and staff practice. A management monitoring tracker ensures that documents are kept up to date. These systems inform other management tools, such as staff supervision. Overall, the quality of care and practice is effectively monitored, enabling the manager to take actions to address issues and improve practice.

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This monitoring visit

A probationary booklet is completed for all new staff to ensure that induction steps are undertaken. This is kept up to date, and it ensures that, as well as completing induction tasks, staff have understood the tasks and are able to apply them in practice. There are a small number of gaps in this process, and the booklet does not make clear which induction training has been completed. However, the training information is available elsewhere. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 2 Supervision is regular, up to date and covers the important areas of staff practice. These include a view of the child, their progress and whether their needs are being met. Supervision is reflective, and staff report that they benefit from this as it helps to improve their practice.

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This monitoring visit

The locality risk assessment is detailed and comprehensive, and it is based on a good range of local data and the interpretation of that data. Each identified area of risk is graded, and mitigation to reduce it is in place.

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This monitoring visit

The risk assessment and behaviour management plan are up to date and relevant to the child. Each area of risk contains clear guidance for staff on the steps to be taken to mitigate risk and what to do in risky situations. Risks are discussed with staff so that staff are able to understand them and to manage behaviour. Frequent incidents do occur, and staff have on occasion needed to request police assistance. Staff are being supported by training and increased management support to manage behaviour without needing police assistance.

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This monitoring visit

Key-work sessions cover a range of safety issues, such as vaping, online safety, the risk of offending and the risk of accidents. Although incidents still occur regularly, steps are being taken to equip staff with the skills to manage them better.

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This monitoring visit

The child’s free time and sleepovers are now risk-assessed. Working relationships to manage these areas of risk have improved.

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This monitoring visit

The child receives consistent responses from staff. Information is shared so that staff coming on shift understand how the child is feeling and the areas of support required. Supervision and training are in place to support staff in providing consistent responses.

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This monitoring visit

Managers are working effectively with the child’s placing authority and other professionals. A full-time school place has been secured, and a longer-term care plan is being developed jointly.

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This monitoring visit

Managers are screening potential new children to ensure suitable matches. The manager demonstrates more confidence in their responses to placing authorities.

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This monitoring visit

There are five requirements and two recommendations that were not reviewed as part of this visit and are restated. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/04/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 4

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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, The 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 with the given timescales.

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Statutory requirements

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Statutory requirements

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Statutory requirements

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Statutory requirements

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Statutory requirements

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Statutory requirements

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Statutory requirements

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Statutory requirements

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; and

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Statutory requirements

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(ix)(x)) 8 June 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 5 In particular, ensure that staff receive training relating to post-traumatic stress disorder.

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Statutory requirements

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Statutory requirements

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Statutory requirements

help each child to express views, wishes and feelings;

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Statutory requirements

regularly consult children, and seek their feedback, about the quality of the home’s care;

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Statutory requirements

is enabled to provide feedback to, and raise issues with, a relevant person about the support and services that the child receives; and

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Statutory requirements

is given appropriate advocacy support. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iv)(b)(i)(iii))

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Statutory requirements

In particular, ensure that children’s wishes and views are taken into account and that children have access to advocacy support and the home’s complaint forms. 8 June 2023

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Statutory requirements

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Statutory requirements

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(viii)) 8 June 2023 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 6 The care planning standard is that children—

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Statutory requirements

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Statutory requirements

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Statutory requirements

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Statutory requirements

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)) 8 June 2023

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Statutory requirements

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Statutory requirements

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision. (Regulation 16 (3)(a)(b)) 8 June 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are provided with nutritious meals suitable for each child’s needs. Where appropriate, children should be involved in choosing and preparing meals, and opportunities to sit together and eat should be promoted. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.8)  The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of their children and is a homely, domestic environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: CF Social Work Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 3-4b K Line House, West Road, Ipswich IP3 9SX

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Inspector

Russel Breyer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2701100 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 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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