Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Lincolnshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 1 SC370899

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Date of last inspection: 4 September 2024

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 7 January 2025

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. 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: SC370899 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 undertake safeguarding training alongside specific training in relation to children’s individual needs. The registered manager and responsible individual have identified a gap in training and have acted swiftly to arrange specific training to meet individual children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the risks that children can be exposed to. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed, updated and shared with staff. This provides clarity and direction when any incidents occur, and staff follow these plans consistently.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding incidents are responded to appropriately. The recording of incidents has improved and includes management oversight and reflection. The registered manager ensures that the involved safeguarding professionals are made aware of incidents. Appropriate actions are taken, and children are updated with outcomes following any investigations.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention is only used when necessary to protect the children or others around them. Such interventions are proportionate to the situation. All incidents are thoroughly recorded, reviewed and monitored by the leadership team. Importantly, the child’s perspective is sought, and staff revisit these discussions to ensure that the child’s voice is heard.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s relationships with staff are generally good. The children living in the home at the time of this inspection are well supported by staff. Staff are strong advocates for children. One child has been supported to access education services that she wanted and that could meet her needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is reflective about the care provided to children. She is keen to implement changes where areas for improvement are identified. There are shortfalls in some staff achieving the required qualification, which has been ongoing for a significant length of time. The manager is focused on developing staff’s skills. Experienced staff in the organisation are providing support to less-experienced staff in this home to promote workforce development.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has developed new and effective monitoring systems. These enable a better oversight of the home. They are now able to identify the home’s strengths and areas for development.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been a serious medication error where a child’s medication was not given. This is following numerous changes and learning opportunities following previous medication errors. Further changes have been implemented, but not yet embedded. This continues to be an area for development. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 3 Some progress has been made towards meeting the statutory requirements set at the previous inspection. Two requirements have been restated and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/06/2023 Full Good 22/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/05/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to leaders and managers ensuring that all staff have the qualifications and skills to meet the children’s needs. 5 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child; and

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c)) 5 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pinsent Masons Llp, The Soloist Building, 1 Lanyon Place, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT1 3LP

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Inspector

Eleanor Quanbrough, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC370899 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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