Children's Home run by Keys Child Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2709845 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned children’s home. The home is registered to provide care for two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in December 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

This inspection took place in one day with two social care regulatory inspectors.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2709845 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusting relationships with staff. Positive relationships are clear to see between staff and children. Staff talk to children with warmth and humour. The children have settled into the home very quickly, and staff have got to know them well. This means the atmosphere in the home is relaxed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a range of activities that offer them new opportunities and enhance their social experiences. Staff support children to enjoy different activities. One child goes to gymnastics classes, and another child plays for the local football team. As a result, children are making long-lasting memories, learning new skills and having fun.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a clean and warm environment. They have their own bedroom and lounge areas. The children’s bedrooms are personalised in line with their taste. When shortfalls in the home’s environment are identified, the registered manager ensures that repairs are carried out in a timely way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children go to school full time. The children have made good progress since moving into the home. They both have regular school attendance. The staff are in regular communication with teachers and have ensured that one child is prepared for their transition to high school. This consistency has ensured that there are no gaps in the children’s education. Children have been able to keep existing friendships that are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views, wishes and feelings are captured in reports and assessments. Staff encourage children to read their documents and comment if they wish. Children have a say in what happens in their home. There are many notes and pictures displayed, expressing how happy one child is. Children feel that staff listen to them. This has helped them to settle into the home.

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

Children feel safe at home. Safeguarding plans are regularly updated and reviewed by the manager. Staff understand and sign all records. This means that safeguarding practice is consistent.

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

Staff rarely use consequences to change children’s behaviour. Staff frequently use praise and rewards for children’s achievements. Children respond well to staff, and negative behaviours have reduced as a result.

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

Leaders and managers carefully look at the risks in the local area before children come to live in the home. The staff are trained in managing individual risks and know how to keep the children safe. The manager has excellent oversight of any incidents and will make suggestions on how to help keep the children safe in the Inspection report for children’s home: 2709845 3 future.

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

Children do not go missing from home, and they are not at risk when in the local community. Managers understand that staff would need contextual safeguarding training if children’s risks change. Staff understand the home’s policies on children going missing from home, substance misuse and children at risk of exploitation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported and valued. Regular supervision provides a safe space for them to reflect on practice and personal development. The manager delegates some supervision to competent senior members of staff. This develops leadership skills and provides increased support for less-experienced staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are well qualified and have access to a range of training courses. This training relates to children’s needs. This ensures that staff have the knowledge and ability to provide quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a stable staff team. This supports children to develop positive and lasting relationships with the staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has an awareness of the strengths and areas for development for his team. He has included the staff in the plan to map out what they want to achieve. Team meetings are used effectively to communicate to the staff team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2709845 4

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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: 2709845 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keys Care Ltd, Second Floor, Maybrook House, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Kristopher Creighton

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Inspectors

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2709845 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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