Children's home run by Keys Active 8 Care Limited in Rossendale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 1 SC064428 Registered provider: Keys Active 8 Care Ltd

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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 owned and managed by a private provider. The home provides care for up to four children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Good 30/08/2022 Full Good 12/01/2022 Full Good 28/02/2020 Interim Not judged Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children living in this home make exceptional progress from their individual starting points. Children benefit from well-planned and individualised care that leads to change and improvement in their lives. The registered manager uses research and resources to inform and improve practice across the staff team. This means that children continue to make excellent progress and have high aspirations for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a warm and welcoming home that is decorated to a high standard. Children’s artwork is displayed, and they are encouraged to personalise the home. Children’s identities are reflected throughout the home, not just in their bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to attend medical appointments and children are encouraged to take responsibility for their health needs, to develop their independence. Staff work closely with specialist professionals to ensure that children receive and benefit from the most individualised support. Furthermore, staff have regular access to therapeutic professionals to support and embed therapeutic work with children. As a result, children are better equipped to manage socially and emotionally.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff communicate effectively with education professionals to ensure that children receive the right level of support. One teacher said, ‘They are the best home I have worked with.’ Staff encourage and support children to achieve and help them to engage in educational activities that support their individual interests. As a result, children make exceptional progress in their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s relationships with family and friends are well supported by staff, who understand the significance of maintaining these relationships. They are skilled in building relationships with children’s families. One family member said, ‘Staff are brilliant, I think the world of them.’ Staff ensure that children regularly see the people who are most important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children know how to make a complaint and have used the complaints procedure. When complaints are made, the registered manager responds swiftly and effectively. Children are communicated with clearly and complaints are fairly addressed. Children are involved in the process and supported to achieve resolution.

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

Children benefit from effective help and support from a nurturing and knowledgeable staff team. The well-being of children is at the forefront of staff’s practice. Staff have well-established relationships with external professionals and safeguarding agencies, to promote children’s safety.

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

Children have caring and trusting relationships with the staff who are responsible for their care. Children listen to staff’s advice. Staff responses to any safeguarding concerns Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 4 are underpinned by research and therapeutic guidance. As a result, there has been a significant reduction in risks to children.

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

Staff know the children and understand their individual risk management plans. Plans are regularly updated and reviewed by all staff to ensure that they know how to respond to any new or emerging risks. The strategies in place to manage risks are thorough and created with therapeutic input. The registered manager and staff are proactive in planning how to manage concerns, seeking input from all involved professionals while ensuring that the child’s voice is heard.

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

There have been two missing-from-home incidents. Staff are proactive in contacting families and relevant professionals while also going out to look for children. Return home interviews take place and staff ensure that they provide children with continual support and guidance to keep safe. As a result of the work done by staff, children rarely go missing from the home.

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

Targeted direct work is undertaken with children on important issues, including any issues specific to individual children, and there is planned work to support children in keeping themselves safe. The registered manager uses information from a range of sources to develop direct-work plans. This ensures that practice with children is supported by the most current and relevant research.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is led by a dedicated and experienced registered manager. She has high aspirations for the children and is a strong advocate for them. The registered manager ensures that the children’s voices are heard, and she knows the children well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is supported by a staff team who are equally dedicated and share the same values. Staff are knowledgeable and motivated to make a positive difference with the children and work consistently to do so. Staff say that they are well supported by the registered manager and that there is an open and kind culture in the home. Staff say that they love working in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager prioritises training and development opportunities for staff. Staff have comprehensive personal development plans and are motivated to make progress in their roles. Staff training covers mandatory topics in addition to specific training based on the presenting needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular reflective supervision which is child-focused. Annual performance appraisals reflect the commitment to the future development of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff work in collaboration with external agencies and have positive working relationships. Professionals speak highly of the team and describe excellent communication. One social worker said, ‘I am nothing but impressed by the work staff have done and the progress [name of child] has made.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 5 Leaders and managers know the strengths of the home. Records are clear and informative and the management oversight is strong. The registered manager continuously reviews how the home is operating. She uses her internal and external monitoring of the home to continually improve staff practice to ensure that children have the best experiences possible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made.

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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: SC064428 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Active 8 Care Ltd

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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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Inspectors

Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC064428 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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