Children's Home run by Keys Direct Care Limited in Norfolk

Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 1 SC450994 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 privately run home provides care for up to four children with complex needs. The children may have had traumatic experiences that have left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is currently on maternity leave.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/08/2022 Full Good 08/06/2021 Full Good 27/11/2019 Full Good 13/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the inspection in August 2022, four children have moved out and four children have moved into the home. There were four children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to be in good physical health. Staff make sure appointments are booked and attend them with the children. The staff work closely with external agencies by sharing information to gain much-needed support for the children’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is based in a rural setting away from busy roads, towns and cities. The home itself is well equipped, with a large garden that is clean and tidy, a large kitchen and separate lounges and a games room for children to enjoy time together. The children’s bedrooms are personalised to their tastes and well maintained. The staff make sure that children’s living spaces are designed to meet children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and management make sure children are supported with their educational needs. The children are supported to attend educational provisions. When children are not able to access full-time provisions, staff ensure that there are activities inside and outside of the home to support their learning. Three children are in full- time education, and one child is due to start after the Easter holidays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two of the children are on a semi-independence plan. Staff support children with completing tasks and workbooks to help strengthen their understanding of independent living, which better prepares them for adult life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children participate in a range of activities away from the home and have enjoyed going to laser tag, go-karting and attending clubs locally. A child visited the circus and stayed over in a local lodge with staff as her room was being redecorated. Staff actively involve themselves in fun activities with the children and carry out effective care planning to enable children to take risks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One parent of a child said, ‘I think [name of child] is quite happy. They get to go on nice activities and seem happy. School can be difficult for her, but they are doing all they can.’

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

Staff help the children to feel safe and secure. This has helped to create an environment in which children do not go missing from home. One younger child, who often runs off away from staff, is supported by staff to come back of their own accord. Staff are committed and caring and use their relationships to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 4 There are occasional incidents between some children. The staff team has a good understanding of the needs of the children and uses safe ways to support them to live more harmoniously. Staff closely monitor and address inappropriate behaviours as well as helping children to reflect after incidents. This has led to a reduction in the number of incidents at the home.

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

The children know how to raise concerns. Staff and management make sure the process is clear to children should they wish to make a complaint about their peers or the quality of care at the home. The procedure is made available to the children via a complaints box, which is situated in the games room at the home.

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

One child in particular has become significantly safer since moving to the home. Staff have worked hard with the child to help them understand healthy and safe relationships. This has helped the child to reflect on lived experiences and focus on a safer future.

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

The manager ensures a joined-up approach to managing risk and safeguarding everyone in the home. The manager and staff work closely with external professionals to keep children safe. They also make use of an in-house therapy team that works directly with staff.

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

Staff are confident in their understanding of how to raise safeguarding concerns. They have a good understanding of the whistle-blowing procedure. The manager reiterates safeguarding processes in team meetings to help the staff feel confident with the process.

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

The manager has moved away from using a consequences book and tries to capture any use of consequences in the child’s journey folder. However, in making this change, it is not always clear if the manager has appropriately monitored the records and whether the consequence has been discussed with the child involved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is registered with Ofsted and holds her level 5 diploma. They have been away on maternity leave. At the time of the inspection, the home was being managed by an interim manager, with support from a peripatetic deputy manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The interim manager is providing a good level of leadership and understands the home’s strengths. She is following a development plan to improve the home further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers take training seriously. Leaders and managers work closely with the therapy team to ensure that staff are skilled in supporting children’s well-being. Specific training is sourced to meet the changing needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervisions and appraisals are conducted with the staff team to keep its progress and practice under review and support its progress. Supervision records are highly detailed, with clear action plans in place to support staff development and address Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 5 any shortfalls in practice. These are revisited with the staff to make sure they are clear on what is required of them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback on the performance of the interim manager in the absence of the registered manager has been positive. One social worker said, ‘I do not have any concerns about the management, only praise for the work they are doing.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that all incidents of behaviour management are subject to scrutiny to ensure that their use is fair. In particular, the registered person should have an effective system in place that involves children wherever practical when reviewing measures of control. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.36)

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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: SC450994 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

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC450994 8 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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