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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children aged between 10 and 18. The home specialises in providing therapeutic care for children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager left the home in June 2023. A new manager has been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

p.1

Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 19 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

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: 2596476 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Four children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. Two children have lived at this home for over two years.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When a new child moved in, children living at the home were helped to explore their feelings about the change through honest discussions with staff. This helped children to make sense of their feelings and worries about the change. The manager and staff ensured that the child’s move into the home was well planned and that the children were well suited to live together.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are offered meal choices that are more balanced and varied. Some children still struggle with healthy eating and healthy choices at mealtimes. Staff have improved their recording of children’s daily health to provide better oversight and understanding that children’s health needs are being met. Some progress has been made in this area.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are attending education full time and have good attendance at suitable education settings. One child is struggling with education, but the manager is working with the school to source the right support.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, general repairs and redecoration have taken place in the home. This helps to make it more homely and encourages children to see that the home and garden are valued and well cared for. Three of the children have personalised bedrooms. One child, who has only recently moved in, is yet to personalise their bedroom.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff regularly update children’s risk assessments and change these appropriately if children’s vulnerabilities change. Staff respond to changing risk factors and have increased confidence in the steps they need to take to keep children safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children are more consistently praised for their behaviour. Since the last inspection, children have not experienced consequences that are punitive or unrelated to their behaviours. Overall, children receive fewer negative consequences because the staff have helped them to find new strategies to learn from their behaviours. The manager has good oversight of these records, and if there are issues in staff’s management of these, they are resolved with the manager. The manager is continuing to help staff to improve their recording.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to understand the impact of their behaviour on their peers and find more positive ways to communicate and interact. Children have better relationships with each other as result of this support. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 3 Since the last inspection, a permanent manager has consistently managed the home. They have applied to register with Ofsted. The continuity of this manager has helped to give children and staff more stability.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The new manager has increased their oversight of the home and supported the staff to improve their practice. The manager has good oversight of records, offers regular supervision sessions and frequently explores staff training and development needs. This has improved staff practice and the quality of care provided to children.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Staff said that things have improved since the last inspection. They feel supported by the manager and morale has increased overall. Staff said that they have been helped to improve their understanding of how to meet children’s needs and manage their behaviours.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

The previous requirements and recommendation have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/06/2022 Full Good 09/02/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness 06/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Second Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

p.5

Inspector

Rebecca Hannell, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2596476 6 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6