Children's Home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 1 SC363384

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Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care for up to five children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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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: 4 September 2023

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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: SC363384 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/09/2023 Full Good 13/09/2022 Full Good 25/08/2021 Full Good 27/11/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is large and comfortable with a welcoming feel. When the home was recently redecorated, children’s views were considered. They have personalised their bedrooms and have their own unique space. This has supported the children to take pride in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with a good standard of care. They work hard to form relationships with children which are positive. They are nurturing in their approach, which makes children feel valued. As a result, children enjoy living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child said that staff 'are all amazing' and that 'they are my family'. The children enjoy a wide range of activities, such as going to clubs, swimming and trampolining. They view the staff as trusted adults and are happy and relaxed in their company.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Cultural and religious values are supported and encouraged by staff. One child has been helped to celebrate important religious events. They have been able to share her culture in the home by cooking meals for everyone. This has improved the child’s self-esteem and awareness of her own identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Feedback from professionals outlines the nurture and care children receive. A social worker said, ‘One word would be amazing. I could not ask any more of them really.’ An education professional said that the staff are, ‘really nurturing; as a whole as close to a family as you can get. They are really good’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making progress in education. One child has experienced difficulties with accessing education. The manager has worked closely with the child’s network of professionals to support the child to attend on a reduced timetable. When the child is not at school, staff help them to attend a health and beauty course. Staff encourage children to attend education because they know how important this is for their future.

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

Complaints are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. There has been a focus on reflection and learning from practice following any complaint. This has resulted in improved monitoring systems and reflective practice.

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

Missing-from-care incidents have significantly reduced. This has been supported through discussions with children and debriefs. Missing-from-care risk assessments are detailed and thorough. Staff are aware of how to keep children safe and respond appropriately when a child goes missing. There has been a focus on building relationships to help children feel safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 4 Children are physically restrained only as a last resort to keep them and others safe. The manager has effective oversight of all records in relation to behaviour management. Debriefs and reflection take place with children after any use of restraint. Social workers are notified, and staff are offered support and reflection. Lessons learned are discussed with the team, ensuring that staff continue to improve practice.

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

Consequences used are not always proportionate to children’s behaviour. They are not always linked, which could be confusing for children. There is a lack of restorative work, and records of this are not always clear. The manager is working with the team to change its approach to this area of practice.

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

Processes for responding to and managing allegations are not robust. These have not always been investigated following the correct processes. Notifications to Ofsted have not been completed following allegations made by children. This does not ensure that children’s voices are heard or their concerns are suitably investigated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has led the home through a difficult period. This has included the deterioration of one child’s behaviour, requiring notice to be served on their placement. Leaders and managers made the difficult decision to identify when the home was not the best placement for a child. They recognised the impact of this on other children in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management team is passionate about providing children with love and nurture. Managers have created a culture of safe and caring relationships, which has filtered through the staff team. They lead an enthusiastic and motivated team. The manager is held in high regard by children, staff and other professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers use learning from practice and feedback from others. This helps to improve experiences and care for children. Since the last inspection, there has been one medication error. Managers used this as a learning opportunity to upskill the team. This has resulted in no further errors occurring.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and training programme. The provider is keen for all staff to learn and develop in their role. No staff have left since the last inspection, with some new staff joining the workforce. The manager has ensured that a diverse staff team has been recruited. This has contributed to good care for children and good team working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers provide staff with regular supervision. The staff team acknowledges that there is a supportive management team. Staff work well as a team, and morale is good. Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which—

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect.

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Requirement Due date

The procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect must, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provide for liaison and co-operation with any local authority which are, or may be, making a child protection enquiry in relation to a child accommodated in the home;

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Requirement Due date

provide for the prompt referral of an allegation about current or ongoing abuse or neglect in relation to a child to the placing authority and, if different, the local authority in whose area the home is located;

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Requirement Due date

provide for records to be kept of an allegation of abuse or neglect, and the action taken in response;

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Requirement Due date

describe the measures which may be necessary to protect children following an allegation of abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

describe how and to whom staff are to report, without delay, any concern about abuse or neglect of a child. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(d)(e)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to having clear processes in place when a child makes an allegation and that all staff know how to follow such processes. 20 September

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— 20 September Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 6 there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation 40 (4)(c))

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour are restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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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: SC363384 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen, West Midlands B63 4AH

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Inspector

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC363384 8 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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