Children's home run by Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 1 SC433286 Registered provider: Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care for up to three children with social and emotional needs. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home and both shared their views with the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by an experienced and suitably qualified registered manager.

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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: 29 November 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/11/2023 Full Outstanding 28/03/2023 Full Outstanding 14/09/2021 Full Outstanding 24/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children living in this home are nurtured by a dedicated and passionate staff team who have an exceptional understanding of each child’s unique needs and are aspirational for their future. Each child has flourished since living in the home and the significant progress they have made has been a direct result of the commitment the skilled staff have to their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are proud of their home and have a strong sense of belonging. Staff talk about a ‘home from home’ and show pride in the look and feel of the home. Throughout the house there are photos and pictures of the children with family members and staff or celebrating their achievements. Each child has a personalised memory book which captures important milestones and special memories for them to look back on their time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff understand the value of education and support the children to reach their full potential. In addition to school, the children are supported to have a range of interests and hobbies, and staff invest in developing the children’s skills and confidence. Staff take time to involve children in DIY projects around the home and gardening, which creates a sense of belonging and pride for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children are valued and staff go above and beyond to build trusting relationships. Staff are committed to supporting children after they have left and show investment in their ongoing achievements as young adults. One young person who recently left the home said, ‘I am who I am because of them and one day I want to work in a children’s home to give back what they gave to me.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The trusting and consistent relationships which staff have with the children give them the opportunity to better understand their own feelings and emotions. Staff talk to children about a range of different topics, which helps them to understand and manage their feelings. One child said, ‘The best part about being here [the home] is them [staff], they are always here for me.’ Staff show dedication in ensuring that children’s cultural needs are met. There is excellent thoughtful and reflective practice with children to explore their cultural identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children’s voices are listened to and responded to by well-attuned staff. The children are fully involved in daily decision-making about the home as well as in more complex decisions about their lives. The children are encouraged to lead healthy lifestyles and be involved in creating healthy routines. Staff understand the importance of sleep and personal hygiene and children are appropriately supported with these routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Progress made is relative to children’s starting points, and staff celebrate children’s achievements, no matter how small. Rewards are used meaningfully for each child as Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 4 part of an overall strengths-based approach to support the children to understand and value positive behaviour.

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

The children are kept safe by skilled and knowledgeable staff who understand the impact of past trauma and how this may present. Staff have developed trusting relationships with the children, which means children feel safe and protected.

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

Leaders and managers talk about ‘big emotions’ rather than behaviours. This ethos means that children feel safe and contained rather than ‘blamed’ for expressing their feelings through behaviour. Any incidents when children become distressed or are at risk are managed compassionately by nurturing staff who ensure that the relationships they have with children are quickly repaired.

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

Restraint is used as a last resort. When restraint is used, it is proportionate to help children calm and to prevent harm to themselves or others. Records of incidents are detailed and reflective, including discussions with the children and staff and clear management oversight to improve practice and learning.

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

Staff take a positive and balanced approach to supporting children to take age- appropriate risks and develop their independence. There are very few safeguarding incidents in this home and children do not go missing. Any safeguarding incidents which do occur are responded to promptly, with robust action. Safer recruitment is robustly followed for any new staff and mandatory training for all staff is kept up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

This home is led by experienced and passionate leaders and managers who know the children well. Leaders and managers are aspirational for the children in their care, including ensuring children have positive and well-planned moves to adulthood. Leaders and managers are committed to being positive and meaningful role models for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have high expectations for the care provided to the children and are well regarded by the staff team. The exceptional care provided to the children is delivered consistently by a stable and committed staff team who know them well. Leaders and managers ensure that staff are empowered in their decision-making so that the children have confidence in each staff member to make safe decisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Systems used to record each child’s journey are kept up to date and provide meaningful plans for staff to follow. There is robust management oversight, which includes follow-up actions and learning evidenced throughout the records.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff retention is high, and no bank or agency staff are used. Staff feedback is consistently positive about the support provided by leaders and managers. Supervision Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 5 sessions and team meetings are held regularly, with some opportunities to reflect on practice and consider learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been raised at this inspection.

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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: SC433286 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited

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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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Inspector

Stacey Pellow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC433286 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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