Old Rectory Cottage

Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 1 SC429011 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 makes up the Cross Regional Project, which has been set up by the Keys Group. The home cares for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since October 2021.

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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

Date of last inspection: 1 November 2022

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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: SC429011 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/11/2022 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Good 31/07/2019 Full Good 24/04/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a large country house, which is decorated to a high standard. Children say that they like their bedrooms and they are personal to them. One child who has pets keeps them clean and takes good care of them. This gives children a sense of belonging and helps them to develop independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are consulted in a variety of ways, such as through key-work sessions and children’s meetings. Children engage in making improvements to the home and reflect on their behaviours. Children are confident to share concerns with the staff and registered manager. There has been one complaint since the previous inspection. This was dealt with sensitively, and staff supported the children to talk about living together, respect, and personal space. One child said that they know that staff will keep them safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children having time with family and friends is promoted well by staff. Children take part in activities of their choice, including a range of activities in the home, the community and other areas. These include membership to the gym, bowling, and watching movies. One child enjoyed a recent trip to Poland where they learned about the culture. This broadens children’s life experiences and understanding of the world.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have good relationships with staff, who know them well. Children are supported to be independent. For example, they wash their own clothes, budget for food shopping, and plan and cook meals. This is a strength of the home and prepares children well for the future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made progress in education from their starting points. One child has passed their functional skills assessments, has a part-time job working with animals, and is starting an apprenticeship in animal care soon. Another child is on a reduced timetable and is supported by staff, who work collaboratively with the educational provision, to help them to build confidence while they are settling into a new school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There has been an unsettled period in the home due to some difficult relationships between the children.

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

The registered manager and staff have taken steps to manage the conflict and challenges between children. Staff are resilient and remain focused on achieving positive outcomes for children. The registered manager has reflected on this period and understands that when considering a new child moving in to the home, more rigour is need for the assessment of this. Specifically, when considering the range of needs of the children already living in the home and the potential impact that a new child moving in could have on them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 4 Risk management plans are in place for all children. These support staff to understand and manage current risks. Staff demonstrate knowledge of children’s risks and the plans to mitigate these. Staff are given opportunities to reflect on their practice. However, on one occasion, there was a missed opportunity for team reflection following a significant incident. Furthermore, links with local police to

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

improve safeguarding practice have not always been utilised.

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

Staff understand the organisation’s safeguarding policies and practice. They know how to raise concerns and who to contact for immediate advice or support. Senior leaders demonstrate that safe recruitment checks ensure that suitable staff work in the home.

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

The registered manager is fully aware of her responsibilities to ensure that health and safety processes are implemented. Consequently, children, staff and visitors are protected, and the home is safe.

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

Staff work closely with all health professionals to ensure that children’s health needs are assessed and managed effectively, and that they can access specialist therapeutic support if required. In one example, a psychotherapist who is linked to the home supported one child to improve their routines and social situations through role play. This has helped to improve the child’s self-esteem.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager demonstrates a passionate commitment to ensuring high standards of care for children, and provides good management support to staff. In return, staff respect and value her leadership. One member of staff said, ‘She is so supportive, and she has an amazing relationship with the children.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision that is further enhanced by regular team meetings. Furthermore, new staff feel supported through the induction and probation process. Feeling valued and respected inspires staff to give good-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the strengths and weaknesses of the home and has a detailed development plan that shows her vision and expectations. External audits provide her with additional improvement areas to focus on and ensure that decisions are always made in children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective systems for monitoring the quality of care. Serious events are reviewed by the registered manager along with other significant areas of practice, such as the frequency and quality of meetings with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands her responsibility to notify Ofsted of serious incidents. However, on one occasion, an incident that was considered to be serious was not notified. This meant that the regulator was unable to fully assess the incident and subsequent actions taken at the time. The incident was managed well, Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 5 and all other necessary actions were taken to ensure that children were safeguarded effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are given opportunities to develop their skills, and there is good succession planning. Training to support this is good, and senior care staff work towards a level 5 diploma.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are effective discussions between leaders, the registered manager and staff in regular team meetings. Staff also receive support from the wider community therapy team through consultation meetings. This helps to strengthen staff understanding and ensures that there is a consistent response to caring for children. However, risk management plans have not always been updated in a timely manner following significant incidents. Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 6

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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, 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children–

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home; manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

plan for, and help, each child to prepare to leave the home or to move into adult care in a way that is consistent with arrangements agreed with the child’s placing authority.

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, when children come to live in the home, ensure that their needs are compatible with the group of children already living in the home, and that children’s risk management plans are reviewed following incidents. 31 July 2023

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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

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to 31 July 2023 Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 7 a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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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)(b)(e))

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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: SC429011 8

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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

Hannah Cox, Social Care Inspector Stephen Challis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC429011 9 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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