Children's Home run by Keys QTC Limited in Gloucestershire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 1 Registered provider: Keys QTC 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 is owned by a private provider and offers care and short-term specialist support for up to four children. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that, in addition to the registered home, children will also use various off- site accommodations as part of an outdoor adventure activity programme.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home; however, they were spending time off site. It was therefore not possible to spend time with children as part of the inspection. Three children have moved on from the home since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 23 October 2024

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Inspection date: 14 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 March 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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 2 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: 1280578 3

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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

The living room in the home is newly decorated, giving it a homely and inviting feel. Hallway areas are freshly painted and decoration works continue to take place in children’s bedrooms. Children’s bedroom windows have restrictors installed, but these are now internal and hidden from view. Window restrictors and door alarms are routinely installed in children’s bedrooms; however, the need for their use is now regularly reviewed in consultation with social workers.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff get to know the children in the home well. They are positive about their roles and responsibilities and speak affectionately about the child who lives in the home. Staff know are knowledgeable about children’s needs and risk-taking behaviours and know how to help children safe. Care plans are up to date which helps to ensure staff understand how to meet children’s evolving needs.

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Findings from the inspection

When children move into the home, their needs are considered. Assessments are thorough, consider risks relevant to the child and explore ways to reduce these. Managers also assess whether staff have the necessary skills to meet the children’s needs more effectively. At times, managers have identified the need for staff to receive further training to ensure that they can meet children’s needs appropriately, and this has been implemented.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents take place in the home, staff take appropriate action to address safeguarding concerns. Reflective debriefs are routinely carried out with staff, and there is clear management oversight. Conversations also are held with children following incidents to explore their feelings. Sometimes, these conversations are held too quickly, even before the children arrive home. Children may be able to engage more thoroughly in reflective conversations if they have had time to settle back home.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, risk assessments are purposeful and reflect the risks accurately. One risk assessment was lacking background information on the child, which means that staff will be less clear on the extent of the risks that the child presents.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers ensure that staff engage with additional training as needed to meet children’s specific needs. All team members have completed advanced Team Teach training since the last inspection. Staff feedback is that they are more confident that the training they receive supports them in meeting the needs of the children in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have taken steps to address the shortfalls that were identified at the last inspection. They have been proactive with carrying out a robust audit, and positive changes have been implemented as a result, with in-depth Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 4 conversations now taking place with professionals before new children live at the home, and care plans being reviewed.

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Findings from the inspection

Changes to handover arrangements mean that they are now comprehensive, with senior staff identifying areas of work that need to be carried out with children and managers having oversight of these interactions. This means that when meaningful conversations are held with children, they are more focussed on children’s individual needs. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/06/2023 Full Good 15/06/2022 Full Good 01/10/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 6

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background. (Regulation 6 (1)(b) (2)(b) (iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that children’s risk assessments incorporate relevant background information and any previous risk-taking behaviours. This should help staff to provide good-quality, personalised care to children. 25 April 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should registered person should ensure that when children are helped to reflect on their behaviours, the timing of these conversations is considered so that they are more meaningful and that children feel more able to discuss and reflect on behaviours, and learn to keep themselves safe. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.9) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 7

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Agata Dokszewicz

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Inspector

Min Sims, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1280578 8 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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