Children's home run by Keys Child Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 1 Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were four children living in the home. All of the children spoke with the inspector.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 6 February 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/02/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience thoughtful planning when they move into the home, and consequently, they settle in well. Since the last inspection, five children have been welcomed to the home and three children have left. Two children were supported to return to live with their families, and one child moved on to a provision that was better suited to their needs.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy a warm and welcoming home that is presented to a high standard. There is a homely feel throughout, and personal touches, such as photos of the children and certificates of achievement, are visible. The children have personalised bedrooms and make decisions about the home’s decor. The development of a chill-out/sensory room has been particularly helpful for one child in supporting the regulation of their emotions. This provides a lovely space for all children to relax and access different sensory aids.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress. This can be seen in all aspects of their health, education and emotional and social development. Children are encouraged to have new experiences and opportunities that promote their well-being. Furthermore, children are engaged in their care planning and goal setting, which means they know their own individual progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is promoted, and children do well in engaging with their learning. When there are barriers to learning, staff advocate on behalf of the child and ensure that the right educational setting is found. There are clear expectations for children to continue to learn when they are out of education or on part-time timetables. Staff ensure that children engage in education when they are at home, and they use educational activities to broaden learning and interests in different topics.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Health needs are prioritised. Children are up to date with their medical appointments and, where needed, engage with medical professionals. There have been some challenges in relation to food and eating patterns. The staff have responded quickly to address and manage this and have put strategies in place to monitor and support children. Additionally, expert help has been sourced from the provider’s team of psychologists, and staff have completed specific training. This has resulted in an improvement for most children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is promoted. Managers and staff work well to build and maintain relationships with those people who matter to children. For some children, new and additional family time has been arranged. Family and friends are welcomed to the home, and one parent commented on the ‘expert’ care his child receives, which has resulted in ‘remarkable’ change. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 4

p.3

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

Children are safe. This is because the staff know the children well and children have developed trusted relationships with staff. There are clear policies and procedures in place, and individualised safety plans and risk assessments outline any known risks and support children to take balanced and age-appropriate risks.

p.4

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

The home has been through a challenging period due to the changes in the group of children, and staff navigating how best to support their differing needs and changing behaviours. Despite this, the home is now a settled environment because of having the right selection of children living together.

p.4

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

There have been two incidents of missing from home involving three children. Staff responded appropriately to ensure children returned home safely and, where needed they agreed arrangements with the local authority.

p.4

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

There have been six incidents of physical intervention. These have mostly consisted of low-level guides to support children from harming themselves. There is clear recording and reporting in place, and children are always provided with a timely debrief and additional one-to-one sessions.

p.4

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

There have been five complaints and three allegations. Managers ensure that children are fully supported and provide them with acknowledgment letters and detailed outcome responses. Complaints and allegations are managed well and in great detail to ensure procedures are followed effectively and that children are heard and valued.

p.4

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

There has been ongoing self-injurious behaviour, and staff have worked well to respond creatively to this and have sought support from the provider’s psychologists. Staff focus on direct work with children to explore triggers and root causes of this behaviour. Strategies are put in place, including soothe boxes and sensory items, to deter children from harming themselves.

p.4

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

Staff promote children’s well-being and resilience. Staff tailor direct work with children to reflect their different needs. Work around confidence, self-esteem and self-love is reflected in things like ‘Why we love you’ books, positive affirmations and developing well-being work. There is a genuine commitment by all staff to ensure that children feel loved and valued.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is suitably skilled, experienced and qualified and is highly ambitious. She has high expectations for herself and the staff, and as a result, they share the same vision and ethos, and achieving the best outcomes for children is at the heart of everything they do. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 5 The registered manager is dedicated to her professional development, and as a result, she is completing her level 5 diploma despite holding a relevant qualification for the role. She has also completed level 1 training in a recognised therapeutic approach model.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager ensures that staff are supported and encouraged to explore different areas of professional interest. For example, the deputy manager has been encouraged to use her innovative ideas to creatively change and develop practice, including improving care planning, direct-work sessions and bringing focus on children’s well-being.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is visible and available. The manager and staff are committed to ensuring children make progress. They will go out of their way to support meetings and activities with children, even when they fall outside of their usual work pattern. This means that the children have positive and trusted relationships with the manager and staff.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers are proactive in using research to inform and develop practice. There has been a big focus on staff development and the importance of consistency for children and of family time. This can be seen in the day-to-day running of the home and the progress children make.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is robust and effective monitoring in place. This ensures that the registered manager has good oversight of all aspects of the home and the care children receive. This is particularly effective in tracking and monitoring the progress that children make.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is a strong advocate for children and, where needed, will professionally challenge in the best interests of children. There are also clear escalation policies in place that are followed effectively.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been some changes to the staff team. Despite this, the registered manager has developed a strong team of individuals who share the same vision for children. When staff are new to post, they are safely recruited and inducted well. There is regular review of staff practice through reflective supervision, personal development plans and annual appraisal.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

During inspection, overwhelmingly positive feedback was received from children, staff, parents and other professionals about the registered manager, her staff team and the care and support children are offered. Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 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: 2737467 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Child Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keys Care Ltd, Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

p.7

Inspector

Stacie Sharpe, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2737467 8 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.

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 . 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