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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 1 SC363422 Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a large national organisation and provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2022.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. They were all spoken to.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

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.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/03/2024 Full Outstanding 14/11/2022 Full Good 17/11/2021 Full Good 25/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive exceptional, child-centred care. This approach ensures they feel safe and valued. The home is a welcoming and nurturing environment for children to live in and be proud of.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make significant strides in keys areas of development. They receive support in forming healthier attachments and developing social skills, as well as strategies for improved emotional well-being. The children receive a daily letter from staff. The letter reflects and highlights successes and challenges. The letters give praise and validate children’s feelings but allow children to take responsibility while developing empathy. Children have learned how to write a letter of apology to others when they have been unkind.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children continue to do well in education. They benefit from improved attendance and confidence, with staff providing extra encouragement where needed.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are encouraged to explore new experiences. They participate in extra-curricular activities and engage in community events. Children learn new skills commensurate with their age and developmental needs. The children have opportunities for trips and outings that enhance their social and cultural awareness, including a recent trip abroad to an entertainment resort. For one child without a passport, the manager advocated on their behalf to ensure that the child was also able to enjoy the trip abroad.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s care plans are regularly reviewed to meet each child’s evolving needs, providing tailored support. The manager has appropriately challenged professionals to ensure that children’s needs are at the forefront of decision-making. For one child, this has ensured that the care plan is suited to their long-term needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have purposeful goals to work towards. This has enabled one child to make remarkable progress towards independent living. The child has been able to demonstrate growing confidence and responsibility as they approach adulthood. They are successfully managing time alone at home independently. The child developed financial awareness through budgeting effectively, successfully purchasing train tickets and navigating public transport.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand that children need healthy, lifelong, stable relationships. Staff have actively strengthened personal and community support systems for the children. Their dedication helps ensure that the children receive the care, encouragement and stability needed to thrive.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children spend time with children from other homes operated by the provider. The manager developed such activities to enable children to meet others with shared experiences and make new friendships. Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 4

p.3

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

Staff prioritise safeguarding practice. They know each child well. Strong, trusting relationships have been established with children. This enables children to feel secure at home and develop resilience and a sense of stability. It also ensures that children feel accepted and understood. There is a strong emphasis on understanding each child’s background, experiences and attachments. Support is therefore tailored to meet children’s individual needs. This empathetic approach helps staff manage risks effectively.

p.4

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

Safeguarding features in staff training, supervision and team meetings. Activity-based learning is regularly used to reflect on and reinforce good practice. Staff use role modelling to develop behaviour strategies in a hands-on way. This ensures that potential risks to children are understood and minimised.

p.4

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

Staff have access to a clinical team with expertise in different areas. They regularly seek this expert advice and support to ensure that they provide trauma-informed care and respond to children’s behaviours competently.

p.4

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

Staff are supported to develop expertise in safeguarding. New staff are given the opportunity to develop expertise as the ‘safeguarding champion’, where they acquire knowledge about different topics and take the learning back to the team. Safeguarding incidents are rare. When they do occur, staff know how to respond and keep children safe.

p.4

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

Alongside risk assessments and behaviour support plans, the manager has developed additional guidance and reflective tools for the workforce. Staff consider presenting risks and behaviours and together develop a child-centred support plan. This enables staff to consider the best approach to support children, while also reflecting on their journey of progression.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong and inspirational leader whose dedication, vision and child- centred approach have fostered a positive culture that empowers both staff and children. The manager’s approach and oversight have meant that staff have been successfully guided and motivated in providing exceptional care and support to children. This has also contributed to staff efficiency, high morale and improved outcomes for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager recognises the impact of their role and the demands it places on staff. They have ensured continued commitment and support to the staff team. Seeking additional training and clinical expertise in times of need has improved team morale. These core values have strengthened resilience among the staff, encouraging reflective practice and continuous professional growth. Feedback from staff includes feeling Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 5 valued, opportunities for progression and growth, increased job satisfaction and staff retention. There is a structured and consistent approach to care, which benefits children’s emotional well-being and development.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The provider’s model of care is embedded throughout. Staff are trained through a comprehensive, flexible and inclusive approach to learning. This has enabled a nurturing and supportive environment for both staff and children. Research-based practice around adverse childhood experiences takes place on a regular basis. Different workshops have been developed, one of which considers the impact of loss and separation and how staff can promote a child’s sense of belonging through connection. In another workshop, there is activity around self-awareness, well-being and empathy for others.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professional and family feedback praised and expressed gratitude for the dedication and compassion shown by the team. The feedback reflects children’s progress in their well- being, confidence and personal development. The team supports a collaborative approach with the professional network to ensure that children’s needs are supported holistically. A professional said: ‘I have never seen such an incredible, outstanding home, it is very much family care in a residential setting. Children are cared for with compassion, love, warmth and affection. Children also take responsibility for their own actions.’ A parent said: ‘I hadn’t seen my child for years. Staff have supported and developed the relationship. The staff do an amazing job, and I can’t fault them.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 6

p.5

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: SC363422 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Tazim Akhtar, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC363422 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8