Children's home run by Keys Child Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 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 home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This is the first inspection since the home was registered in August 2023. The registered manager 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: 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: 2737467 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since opening, the home has welcomed two children. Both children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making good progress in all areas of their health, education and social and psychological well-being. Children are building trusted relationships with the staff. These positive relationships are helping children to openly explore their thoughts and feelings, through one-to-one work and social stories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their health needs. Staff respond proactively to ensure that children’s individual health needs are met. Children are registered and engage with health professionals. For one child, additional guidance and advice has been sought in relation to a specific health need. The staff have completed additional training to increase their knowledge and understanding to support the child effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their education and learning. One child has been supported back into the classroom following some difficulties. As a result, they now enjoy full-time education that is tailored to meet their specific needs. One child who has missed a considerable amount of education is being supported by staff to slowly return to school. Both children benefit from additional learning in the home to support their academic progress and to develop their life skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy their own interests and hobbies. They take part in keyboard and guitar lessons. One child benefits from being able to look after their own pet.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy time with their families. Staff support children to spend time with family members in the community and at their family homes. Family members are also welcomed into the home. This provides comfort and reassurance for the family and helps to build and maintain positive relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and beautifully decorated throughout. Personal touches, including photos of the children and soft furnishings, give a homely feel. The children benefit from a large living room and two snugs. An open-plan kitchen diner is a hub of activity and social interaction. The children are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to their taste. There is a real sense of pride in the home environment.

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

The staff know the children and their needs well. Both children have individualised behaviour plans and risk assessments. These are reviewed and updated regularly and reflect any new and emerging concerns. Staff benefit from support from a team of specialists who offer support and guidance around children’s care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 3 Children are supported to understand their feelings and emotions. The staff explore areas of concern with the children and help them to understand and take responsibility for their behaviours. For example, with the support of staff, one child has developed an understanding of healthy and respectful relationships.

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

There have been no incidents of children going missing and there has been no need for staff to hold children to support their safety. One minor incident of self-harm and three incidents concerning boundaries and personal space have been responded to quickly and appropriately by staff, to ensure that the children are well supported.

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

Children are encouraged to take age-appropriate risks. One child has a mobile phone and access to the internet. Staff have ensured that there are appropriate parental controls in place, and there is daily monitoring of the child’s activity to support their safety.

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

Staff take children’s views seriously and regular meetings between staff and children ensure that children have a voice. In addition, monthly consultations with children about the progress they are making and their targets ensure that children are involved in setting their objectives for the coming month.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is highly experienced, skilled and knowledgeable. She leads by example and role models child-centred care. She has high expectations of her staff team, who mirror her ethos in ensuring that children achieve the best outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager knows the children well and has a good understanding of their lived experiences and their needs. As a result of her hands-on approach, she has developed positive and trusted relationships with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has carefully selected her staff team. This means that the staff share the same enthusiasm as the manager and she knows their skills and abilities well. She has ensured that all new staff have been safely recruited. New staff benefit from an induction period and mandatory training. The registered manager’s insight into the needs of the children supports the development of new staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff speak highly of the registered manager and their experience of working in the home. The registered manager ensures that staff receive regular and reflective supervision. Staff have access to training and the responsible individual holds training sessions for staff as needed. Consequently, staff feel valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has developed positive working relationships with others who are key to the children’s care. External professionals are complimentary about the manager, her communication skills and the way that she advocates on behalf of the children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 4 The registered manager has effective monitoring systems in place. This means that she has good oversight of the operation of the home and all aspects of the children’s care. However, not all staff have signed to confirm they have read some of the children’s documents. Consequently, staff could be missing important information about the children’s care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff have signed to confirm that they understand the purpose of any care and the way in which the past experiences of abuse or neglect may manifest itself in the day to day life of the child.('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including quality standards', page 16, paragraph 3.15)

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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: 2737467 6

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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

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 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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