Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 1 SC370899 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

The home is privately owned. It is registered to care for four children who may have emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an experienced manager who is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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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: 22 November 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 2

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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 Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a real sense of family life in a home where they can relax and be themselves. They are settled, happy and growing in confidence. Children enjoy spending time with each other, the staff and the dog. They enjoy a range of activities inside and outside of the home and welcome new experiences. Children say they feel safe and listened to. As a result, they are making very good progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created individualised care plans that demonstrate very good knowledge of the children and their needs. The staff support children to develop at their own pace, providing gentle encouragement where needed. This helps children to express their personalities and feel accepted.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff ensure that children attend school every day. When they struggle, the team works well with schools to implement strategies and approaches to help children manage their timetable. One child has a home tutor, which is helping her to reach her learning potential. Children’s specific interests are very much encouraged. One child is learning to play the piano, and another child writes poetry. This helps children to feel proud of themselves and their achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in very good health. Staff help children to understand the benefits of healthy eating and exercise. Children are proficient at cooking and enjoy making meals for one another. This helps them to feel good about food and enjoy the social aspect of eating together. Children’s emotional needs are well met. They benefit from direct work on a range of issues and have specialist help where needed. This helps children to express their feelings and manage their anxieties.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff ensure that children see their families and people who are important to them. Sometimes, this involves travelling long distances. Children are also encouraged to make new friends, for example at a local youth club. This is helping children to develop their social skills and confidence in new situations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers consider children moving into the home. This means that children already living at the home experience minimal disruption to their lives. It also prevents children from having to move on in unplanned ways.

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

Children are kept safe from harm. The manager and staff know children’s risks and vulnerabilities well. They create detailed and proportionate risk management plans that offer clear guidance about how risks can be mitigated. When new risks emerge, they are responded to quickly, and specialist help is provided where needed.

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

Children have trusted adults to talk to about their worries. Gradually, children begin to confide in adults, which helps them to manage their anxieties. When children Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 4 become distressed, staff use their experience and skills to manage children’s behaviour safely. The staff know how to respond so that situations do not escalate. Physical interventions are rarely used, and the home has a calm and harmonious atmosphere.

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

Staff have responded sensitively and safely to incidents of self-injurious behaviour. This has helped children to feel comfortable in discussing their feelings and get the support they need. When necessary, children’s rooms are searched to remove items that could cause harm, and this is done in a sensitive way. Managers understand the importance of recording their evaluations to ensure practice remains of a good standard.

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

The managers and staff have a clear understanding of their safeguarding responsibilities. Staff are alert to any changes to children’s behaviour and take steps to make sure they are supported. Staff are clear about processes to follow if they have concerns about the practice of colleagues. Their knowledge in this area of practice is refreshed at regular intervals. This helps to maintain a safe environment for children.

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

Staff keep children safe from exploitation. Children do not go missing from home; however, there are clear processes in place should this occur. Children are beginning to explore the online world more. There are measures in place to help them keep safe, such as monitoring phone use as any good parent would. Staff ensure that children learn to manage these risks in line with their own level of development and understanding.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a newly appointed manager who brings confidence, enthusiasm and experience to the home. She has already made a positive impact on the team, and staff speak positively about her. The manager has the right priorities for the home, including developing the staff and bringing the team together. The children and staff have welcomed her calm approach during a period of change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well supported by the responsible individual, who has steered the home through an unsettled period. She has worked tirelessly in recent months to improve practice, particularly in safeguarding children. As a result, staff understand their safeguarding duties more clearly, and there is increased transparency in their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff enjoy their work, and they talk about the children and their colleagues with warmth. Staff describe the home as their second family. They have managed recent changes in the team with a positive attitude, which means children have not been impacted. New staff receive a robust induction and relevant training. This ensures they experience a smooth transition into the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff benefit from regular supervision that is focused on the needs of children and also professional development. Managers address any concerns or Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 5 areas for development with confidence so that practice does not deteriorate and impact on children. Training and development are a priority, which helps staff to keep up to date with relevant issues affecting children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have positive relationships with external professionals. They have a good understanding of children’s care plans. When children have concerns about their future, the managers advocate on their behalf, ensuring that their views are heard. Professionals have confidence in the home and say it cares for children very well. Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 6

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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: SC370899 7

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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

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 8 regulates and inspects 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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