Children's home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Southend-on-Sea

Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 1 SC430587 Registered provider: Keys Direct 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 owned and operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have social and emotional needs. Two children were being cared for at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 6 October 2023 and although new to the role, is suitably experienced.

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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 requires improvement to be 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: 29 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: SC430587 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/11/2022 Full Good 26/10/2021 Full Good 01/10/2019 Full Outstanding 19/06/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff provide children with a lovely environment that is homely and maintained to a good standard. The children enjoy spending time with staff in the communal areas. Children have a ‘chill room’ which they have designed and helped to furnish. They enjoy being able to play musical instruments in the lounge.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are met to a good standard. They are registered with local health services and are supported to attend appointments as required. Systems are in place to regularly audit children’s medication. This reduces the risk of medication being missed or inappropriately administered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise that some children struggle to access education. During these periods, staff work well with education professionals to ensure that children are provided with learning opportunities. Furthermore, staff plan activities around children’s likes and interests, such as shopping or going to the museum. This helps keep children stimulated and provides them with necessary routine.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff bring a sense of positivity and enthusiasm to this home. One child said this is the first home that they have lived in that has felt like a home. This child has been supported by staff to think about being a residential care worker when they are older. The child said, ‘I want to work in this home because it is one of the best homes for children.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Social workers are positive about the help and support that children receive. They say that staff care for children and celebrate their successes. Children are supported to build meaningful memories.

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

There are some shortfalls in how well staff have supported children to stay safe. This primarily relates to one serious incident when necessary medical treatment was not sought for a child. This incident was not accurately recorded. Also, it was not clear what support the manager had put in place for this child following the serious incident. Ofsted has not been notified of all serious incidents. Although this is not ‘good’, on balance, overall, staff have provided safe care for children.

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

Staff recognise that some children use self-harm as a coping strategy. During these periods, children confide in staff and share their problems. This helps to keep children safer because they trust that staff will help them. Children let staff treat any injuries that they may have. Staff receive tailored support from the home’s psychotherapist. This helps staff to better understand the emotional, social and behavioural needs of the children. This is positive. Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 4 There have been no incidents of children going missing from the home. However, if this were to happen, staff know what action to take to keep children safe. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities. For some children, their high-risk taking behaviours have reduced.

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

The manager prioritises the safety and welfare of children and recruits new staff in accordance with safer recruitment protocols. New staff undergo a range of checks that are designed to minimise the likelihood of children being harmed by those caring for them.

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good

There are some weaknesses in management monitoring and oversight. This has led to shortfalls that relate to the protection of children and the overall management of the home. When children self-harm, management oversight is not yet consistently good. This increases risks for children.

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good

Although the organisation has completed some learning reviews into care practice, it is unclear how well lessons learned have been shared and embedded throughout staff’s practice. The manager has not yet reviewed children’s key-work sessions, which hinders their ability to build on good care and reduce overall risks for children.

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good

Since the last inspection, there has been considerable staff turnover. Children have found this hard to cope with and they miss some of the staff who have left. In recognition of this, the manager has focused on recruitment and is trying to improve staff retention.

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good

Not all staff have received regular supervision. For example, there have been some long periods when staff have not had supervision. Some supervision records lack detail and reflective discussions are not well evidenced. This prevents staff from having opportunities to learn, develop and improve their care practice. Only one staff member is currently qualified. This is an area for development.

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good

Staff enjoy their roles and say they feel supported by the manager. The manager is supported by an experienced responsible individual. Children are satisfied with the care that they receive. Feedback from stakeholders is positive. Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 5

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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 the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring that records of incidents are clear and detailed and demonstrate management oversight, reflection and learning.

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Requirement Due date

Medical treatment should be sought for children whenever necessary.

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Requirement Due date

Children and staff should receive debriefs following any physical intervention. 19 January 2024

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically refers to ensuring robust quality assurance and monitoring systems are in place, used regularly and recorded. 19 January 2024 Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 6 The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to staff receiving supervision and appraisal in line with the organisation’s policies and procedures. 19 January 2024

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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

there is any [other] incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(i)(ii)(e)) 19 January 2024

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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: SC430587 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Direct Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, Worcestershire B63 4AH

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Inspector

Corline Parker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC430587 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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