Children's home run by Keys Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2539752 1 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

This home provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection there were four children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since April 2020.

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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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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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: 2539752 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/03/2023 Full Good 29/06/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 2539752 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress from their starting points. Two children have recently moved into the home and have settled well. The calm atmosphere and supportive culture in the home provide a stable environment for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to ensuring that children maintain consistent relationships with their birth families when this is part of their overall care plan. Children appreciate the valuable help they receive from staff to maintain these important connections.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children access education, and most are making positive progress. Staff provide effective support to one child who struggles with educational engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Placing authorities praise the quality of care that children receive from dedicated and child-centred staff. One professional told the inspector that they have been ‘impressed that the staff team has managed to gain such a great understanding of the child in such a short period of time’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s wishes and feelings are valued and reflected throughout their plans and records. The management team is focused on ensuring that children’s participation in the planning of their care is meaningful and focused on improving their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in a range of positive activities and are encouraged to explore their interests. Staff ensure that children’s experiences are routinely evidenced through photos, as an informal way of capturing their journey during their time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise children’s individual communication styles and adapt their approach accordingly. Staff have built strong relationships with children, and there is a shared connection between children who have lived at the home since it opened and the managers and staff who have supported them.

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

Children are kept safe and protected from harm. Staff are knowledgeable about children’s individual needs and presenting risks. This means that they take effective action when concerns emerge.

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

The home environment is clean and tidy, and children’s rooms have been personalised to reflect their interests and identities. There are photos of children throughout the home. This promotes a strong sense of belonging for children and contributes to their sense of security. Children do not go missing from the home.

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

All children can identify a trusted adult whom they seek out when they need support and advice. Children feel listened to and experience a strong sense of stability due to the low staff turnover in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2539752 4 Staff support children to develop their independence and self-care skills in accordance with their age and abilities. The staff team is always available to provide ongoing practical support to children. Staff respond sensitively when children make mistakes, recognising the importance of this as part of their learning and development.

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

Children’s care and support plans clearly describe the steps staff take to promote children’s welfare. Risks are responded to promptly, and staff make good use of a range of assessment tools to monitor children’s progress and safety.

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

Children receive good-quality support from staff and benefit from therapeutic work. As a result, children’s risks usually decrease over time. The registered manager has recognised that one child may need more specialist support and is taking steps to secure this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a dedicated and hardworking leader who is valued by children and staff. Staff report excellent support from managers. They speak positively about managers’ commitment to listening to children and staff, and to promoting equality and fairness.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have successfully embedded a strong culture of ensuring the best outcomes for children by ensuring that all decisions about the running of the home are child focused.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children benefit from being looked after by a diverse staff team and are encouraged to celebrate diversity and difference. Staff recognise that children see them as role models and help children to explore their identities by offering appropriate insights based on their own lived experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The management team demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. The registered manager values meaningful and functional change. He adopts a careful and reflective approach to promoting high standards of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers lead by example and are readily accessible to children and staff. They role model good practice by routinely working alongside staff to support and care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers challenge placing authorities when they believe decisions are not made with children’s best interests in mind. They advocate strongly on children’s behalf to ensure that their experiences and welfare are held in the highest regard. Inspection report for children's home: 2539752 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should work with the placing authority to ensure that specialist help is made available for children in relation to emerging patterns of behaviour and taking into account their assessed needs and any relevant safeguarding concerns. (Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the Quality Standards’ page 14, paragraph 3.2)

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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: 2539752 6

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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

Ashley Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2539752 7 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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