Children's Home run by Keys Care Limited in Durham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 1 SC423407

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to eight children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 23 October 2017. There were seven children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 17 September 2024

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspectors have 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: SC423407 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

Ofsted identified the following serious concerns in relation to the leadership and management of the home that compromise the safety of children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

 Children have raised significant concerns about their experiences of living in the home.  Leaders have not ensured that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the children’s emotional needs.  Managers have not taken sufficient action to address these concerning practices.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders have not ensured that staff have the knowledge and skills to meet the children’s emotional needs. Children have raised significant concerns about their experiences of living in the home because of this. Some children have been spoken to in a derogatory manner. Children have described some derogatory behaviours towards other children. Although some children share that they feel safe in the home, their experiences have left some children feeling unliked.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders have not ensured that staff consistently behave and practise in a professional and caring manner. This is also reflected in recordings completed by staff. Some records use language that is not kind or caring, reinforcing children’s negative view of themselves. Managers have not taken sufficient action to address these practices. This has resulted in shortfalls in how the home is operating, with a consequent impact on children.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There are planned routines around mealtimes, when children can have food or snacks. However, the children’s experiences of how this is managed are inconsistent, leading to children feeling of frustrated. Additionally, some children remain unclear about the reasons for when phones are removed and for how long. Further work is needed to improve in this area of practice.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Some children are vulnerable to self-injurious behaviours. Staff are vigilant and are guided by children’s risk assessments. When incidents occur, staff support children to seek medical attention. Staff seek out the support of external agencies when this is necessary. Where concerns are heightened, the manager makes decisions to keep children safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, staff follow the children’s safety plans to work on returning children to the home. Staff seek support from other safeguarding agencies and support children when they are returned to the home.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their interests and personalities. One child’s bedroom was cluttered with belongings, but this was rectified during the inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 3 Staff encourage family time. Staff communicate well with families, providing families with feedback about progress made each month.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have responded effectively to three requirements and one recommendation from the last inspection. This was in relation to leaders improving how they escalate concerns when documents are not received from local authorities. Managers have addressed the use of a colour code to categorise children’s behaviour. Managers have ensured that children’s risk assessments are kept under review and shared with staff to support their understanding of the children’s risks.

p.3

Findings from the inspection

Ofsted held a case review on 18 March 2025. A decision was made to issue a notice of restriction to prevent children moving into the home at this time. Ofsted issued compliance notices under regulation 11 (the positive relationships standard) and regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2024 Full Good 14/11/2023 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 07/06/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 5

p.4

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

p.5

Requirement Due date

*The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

p.5

Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour;

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.5

Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

p.5

Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

p.5

Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(v)(viii)(ix) 4 May 2025

p.5

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—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

promotes their welfare. 4 May 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

p.6

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(ii)

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that routines and expectations of standards of behaviour are clear and unambiguous. In particular, routines around food, mealtimes and mobile phones. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 39, paragraph 8.11). Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 7

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspectors

Tenji Wesa, Social Care Inspector Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC423407 8 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.

p.7

Inspectors

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

Inspectors

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

Inspectors

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

p.8

Inspectors

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

p.8