Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Buckinghamshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 1 Registered provider: Keys Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a group of homes that make up the Cross Regional Project, which has been set up between Keys Group and four local authorities: Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes. The home cares for up to four children who may experience social and/or emotional difficulties. Four children were living in the home at the time of the inspection. One child was not present during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 3 October 2023.

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Inspection date: 10 July 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers.

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Information about this inspection

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: 2543427 2

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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.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have built positive relationships with children. The children trust the staff and seek support and interaction from them. Conversations between children and staff reflect this trust. They cover a wide range of topics aimed at increasing children’s safety and well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Children receive the support they need in relation to their physical and emotional health and well-being. Staff use an array of strategies to support communication with children. This includes writing notes and using visual resources to aid the children’s participation.

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Findings from the inspection

Children feel able to express their wishes and feelings and participate in decision making about their day-to-day lives. Children can access the information that staff record about them. One child said, ‘I was happy with what had been written and that I was able to see this.’

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Findings from the inspection

Staff maintain a strong focus on helping children develop their independence and autonomy. Staff ensure this is carried out in a sensitive manner that recognises each child’s individual needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond appropriately to areas of risk and any safeguarding concerns about children. The staff carry out targeted work to help the children reflect following difficult events and make healthy and safer choices in their lives.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have not always demonstrated they have the necessary skills and knowledge to de-escalate difficult situations with children. For example, staff sought police assistance during several incidents instead of following advice set out in children’s plans or taking advice from the home’s on-call managers. The registered manager has changed the process for staff to follow.

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Findings from the inspection

On one occasion, a member of staff temporarily left the home during a difficult interaction with a child. Although this did not impact on children’s welfare, it undermined this child’s sense of trust in the staff member. The subsequent actions taken to support this child were well informed and demonstrated good practice.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has responded effectively to requirements made at the last inspection and demonstrates good oversight and understanding of their leadership responsibilities. However, some regulatory reports lack important information. This has undermined regulatory oversight. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 3 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/04/2023 Full Good 14/06/2022 Full Good 09/08/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ix)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, staff must act in accordance with children’s care plans in ensuring their everyday needs are met and recognise the significance of their actions as primary caregivers for children. Staff should have the skills and knowledge to be able to appropriately de-escalate difficult situations while maintaining an appropriate level of supervision and professionalism, in accordance with the requirements of their role. 10 September Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the independent person’s report provides sufficient information to enable regulatory oversight. This information must be accurate and impartial, and might include the registered person adding further information to clarify evidence recorded by the independent person. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 7

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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 Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2543427 8 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.

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Inspector

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