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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home providing care for up to four children aged from 12 to 17 years. The home offers 52-week placements to support children’s social, emotional and mental well-being.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in May 2023.

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Inspection date: 9 January 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 9 January 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of this inspection, four children were living at the home. Two children have left the home and four children have moved in since the last inspection. The staff ensure that the children have comprehensive moving-on plans in place. Staff keep in touch with children after they move on.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is warm and welcoming. Staff and children have relationships that show love and affection. The children make jokes and tell staff about their day at school. The children spend a lot of time in the living areas of the home. They are encouraged to play games and help to cook. There is an atmosphere of mutual care in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Three of the children attend school full time. One of the children completes some work in the home. Staff have identified that the child is quite anxious to visit new schools. They are working with the child to help them explore the positives that a new education placement will bring.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a large garden, which the children spend a lot of time in. They play football a lot and have designed the garden to be better suited to their needs. At the time of the inspection, a new fence was being built that will provide better use of the space for them. The children are looking forward to seeing the new area and creating a vegetable patch with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the effect of childhood trauma on children’s behaviour. She has initiated team meetings that explore theories of behaviour and use scenario-based training. This helps staff to understand theoretical models of care and to work more reflectively. This helps ensure that staff respond to the children with care, empathy and understanding.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are receptive to the children’s needs and adapt their responses as the children’s needs change. They understand the children’s individualised plans and risk assessments and respond appropriately to incidents. When emerging risk is identified, staff update plans with confidence.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager knows that feedback to staff following incidents is important. She provides regular debriefs and explores restorative options. Staff value the opportunity to learn from these. This helps them to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff spend a lot of time with the children and know how to address issues that affect them. They spend time with children discussing a wide range of topics and issues. These include relationship-building, being kind, online safety and how to keep themselves safe in the community. Staff are sensitive to the children’s capacity Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 3 to understand complex ideas. They tailor sessions to engage the children and make learning interesting. As a result, children are invested in learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers continue to implement improvements identified at the last inspection. These improvements are embedded in practice by a manager who has raised standards of care by identifying shortfalls in staff training. Leaders provide tailored training to a staff team whose members are keen to learn and improve outcomes for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The action plan provided to Ofsted has been fully implemented. The responsible individual provides the manager with supervisions that are in accordance with that plan. This means that the manager and responsible individual have discussions that add to the home’s development plan.

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Findings from the inspection

There is a strong monitoring plan in place that provides the manager with tools to explore incidents of concern and to identify patterns and trends in behaviour. This ensures that monitoring is effective and addresses safeguarding incidents. External agencies appreciate the feedback from efficient monitoring.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff said that the manager works in a child-centred way. She is particularly good at providing examples of good practice for newly appointed staff. This supports consistency in the team. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 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: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

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Inspector

Trudy Potter, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2720366 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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