Children's home run by Keys Nhcc Ltd in Rossendale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC474041 1 SC474041 Registered provider: Keys NHCC Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for two children aged between eight and 17 years who have experienced adverse childhood experiences that have led to associated trauma and complex behaviours.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified.

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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: 17 January 2023

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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: SC474041 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/01/2023 Full Good 28/04/2021 Full Good 12/11/2019 Full Good 14/03/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC474041 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. They said they love everything about the home and the staff are like family. The manager has decided the home should continue to take just one child so that staff focus exclusively on the child’s care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff consistently communicate effectively with one another and share vital information with external professionals. This supports the delivery of good and consistent care. One professional said, ‘I cannot put into words how amazing the manager and the staff team are in terms of [name of child’s] progress.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to understand that maintaining good health is important. They encourage fitness through activities likes daily walks. They support the child’s good health by planning balanced, nutritious meals to achieve a healthy weight for the child. With guidance from the in-house therapist, staff establish approaches to promote the child’s emotional health. For example, staff leave positive handwritten quotes at the end of each day which the child says helps them to feel good about themselves.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff work closely with education providers to help the child to overcome barriers to learning. Staff support the child to complete learning at home to complement the curriculum at their education provision.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of family time and help the child to have positive experiences with people who are significant in their lives. One family member described family time as something the child always enjoys.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is generally well maintained, clean and tidy. Damage to the child’s bedroom door detracts from the otherwise welcoming look of the home.

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

Staff have a nurturing approach to helping the child to understand boundaries and expectations. They celebrate the child’s efforts and achievements and use a reward system, which helps the child to recognise the progress that they make.

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

The child says they feel safe living in the home. There have been no incidents of the child going missing. However, if the child was to go missing, staff are prepared and understand what they would need to do.

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

Physical intervention is not used. Staff nurture the child and skilfully employ de- escalation techniques, applying the home’s therapeutic model. The staff’s approach includes incorporating playfulness and verbal praise to keep the child calm. Inspection report for children’s home: SC474041 4 Serious incidents are rare. The one safeguarding incident that has occurred was managed well and shared appropriately with relevant professionals, enabling them to respond. These processes ensure the child is kept safe.

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

Safer recruitment guidelines are followed. The manager ensures that all staff are subject to thorough recruitment checks before they begin working in the home.

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

Staff seek medical advice in relation to the child’s medication when necessary, and follow the guidance given. However, they do not consistently record the advice medical professionals give. This administrative shortfall has not adversely affected the child’s health.

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

Staff make routine checks on the child’s devices with internet access, however, there is an inconsistent approach to recording these checks. This limits the ability for oversight of this safety measure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated to ensuring the child receives excellent care. She knows the child well and adopts a child-centred approach. The manager has worked hard to build a trusting relationship with the child, which has provided them with a sense of security and belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular team meetings and supervisions, reflecting on their practice and the quality of care the child receives and discussing safeguarding of the child. The manager appraises staff performance annually, which helps staff plan their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All the staff hold suitable qualifications and are skilled and experienced. The team includes a therapist, whose expertise benefits all staff. The staff actively embrace the provider’s therapeutic approach, supporting the child with sensitivity and empathy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff have developed strong relationships with all relevant professionals, including social workers and education staff. This good communication promotes the child’s welfare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is aware of the strengths of the home and the areas for development. External monitoring by an independent person also highlights areas for improvement. Her monitoring and reviewing systems are generally good, however, they have not consistently identified gaps in recording in the child’s records. Inspection report for children’s home: SC474041 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meet the needs of their child. This specifically relates to the child’s bedroom door being repaired. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that accurate records are kept of the administration of all medication, which includes occasions when prescribed medication is refused and advice is sought from medical practitioners. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of clear recording. This specifically relates to staff recording checks carried out on the child’s mobile phone and electronic devices. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations,

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Recommendations

including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: SC474041 6

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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

Jas Nahar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC474041 7 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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