Children's Home run by Kelwel Care Homes Limited in Essex

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 1 Registered provider: Kelwel Care Homes 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 home is run by a private organisation and provides care for up to five children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

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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: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home opened in April 2024 and currently cares for four children. Three children were present and all took part in the inspection. Children benefit from well-planned and meaningful moves into the home. The manager met with one child before they moved in and shared important information about who they will live with and the staff. The child had a virtual tour and chose their bedroom. Staff help new children to feel welcome and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of building trusting relationships with children. Staff are kind, inquisitive and use humour, to which children respond. Staff prioritise time to spend with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children with their hobbies and interests. One child enjoys building computers. Staff make certain the child has access to specialist parts to create their own electronics. One child has taken an interest in aquatics. Staff purchased a fish tank and the child is learning about tropical fish. Staff help children to build their confidence through their hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a wide range of activities and new experiences. Children have enjoyed a concert, go-karting, panic rooms and themed events. One child benefits from going to the gym and takes part in community boxing events. Staff help the children to have enriching experiences and build positive memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work hard to help children understand healthy lifestyles. A qualified nutritionist has trained staff to use organic ingredients in meals. Staff create individualised recipes for children to follow, which are then made into cookbooks for each child to keep. Placing a strong emphasis on nutrition has increased health benefits for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are enrolled in local schools. Two children have made good progress in their attendance and engagement in learning. The manager has sourced tutors to help two other children learn at home. Staff understand the importance of children learning and thinking about future careers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children understand how to make a complaint. However, when one child made a formal complaint, the home’s complaints procedure was not followed. The guidance for managing complaints is misleading. The statement of purpose and children’s guide contradict each other in how these will be managed. Although the child’s concerns were looked into, it is difficult to measure if timescales were met and processes were followed. This reduces transparency. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 3

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

The staff understand children’s vulnerability. They regularly have conversations with children around a range of subjects, including exploitation, substance misuse and healthy relationships. This has meant that one child was able to rebuild a positive bond with their family.

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

Children’s risk assessments are easy to read. They provide detailed guidance for staff on how to manage children’s vulnerabilities. The risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated by the manager.

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

If children choose to leave the home without permission, there is a well-coordinated response. Children are welcomed home and staff make certain they can speak to an independent person.

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

Room searches are conducted in a sensitive manner and children’s views are always listened to.

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

The staff do not use restraints, because they are able to de-escalate behaviours. When children are upset or worried, staff listen to children’s feelings. Restorative work takes place to help children understand their behaviours. This helps children to reflect on their feelings and emotions.

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

When there are tensions in the group, the staff identify and address these immediately. Children are supported to be kind to each other, and they understand why bullying behaviour is not acceptable. This helps children to develop socially acceptable behaviours.

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

Children receive natural consequences. Children reflect on their behaviours with staff and are helped to rebuild their friendships with one another. Following a behavioural incident, one child created a hamper for the neighbours. This helped the child to learn about the importance of respecting the community.

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

The manager ensures that any concerns about staff practice are investigated promptly. However, on one occasion, statements were taken from staff before taking advice from the local authority designated officer. Although, this did not affect the outcome of the investigation, this was outside of the correct process.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is experienced and holds the relevant level 5 qualification. A deputy manager and senior support worker support the manager. The management team is committed to providing high-quality care and investing in staff development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 4 The manager follows safer recruitment processes. The organisation’s induction is detailed and includes new staff shadowing experienced staff. This helps staff to prepare for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that they felt supported by managers. They receive regular supervision sessions. Staff are encouraged to reflect on each child and discuss any concerns they may have. Managers focus on the well-being of staff. They understand that staff investment supports better outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff undertake mandatory training as part of their probation and ongoing personal development. Additional training is sourced to meet children’s individual needs. Staff are either qualified to or working towards the relevant level 3 qualification within timescales.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good systems in place to monitor and review the quality of care children receive. They have a good understanding of the areas for development and what is working well. The manager involves staff in the development of the home and this approach helps staff to remain motivated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the home opened, the independent person has conducted visits. However, they have not met with children or attempted to gain their thoughts and feelings about living at the home. This limits the opportunity for children’s experiences to be linked to home improvements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 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

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44 (2)(a)) 13 September 2024

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

has access to the home’s children’s guide, and the home’s complaints procedure, when the child’s placement in the home is agreed and throughout the child’s stay in the home. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(b)(ii)) 13 September 2024

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Recommendation

 The registered person should seek to involve the local authority and other relevant persons whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare. In particular, seek advice from the local authority designated officer before starting an investigation into any allegations. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.4) Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 6

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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: 2787006 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Kelwel Care Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Victoria House, 101–105 Victoria Road, Chelmsford CM1 1JR

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Inspectors

Mandy Start, Social Care Inspector Saeeda Fatima, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787006 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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