Children's home run by Keys Educational Services Limited in Rossendale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 1 SC363393 Registered provider: Keys Educational Services Limited

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Full inspection 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 for up to two children. The provider states in the home’s statement of purpose that care is provided for children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home. One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The inspector spent time with both children during the visit.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home was registered in July 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Date of last inspection: 20 November 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/11/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 24/07/2023 Full Good 09/11/2022 Full Good 21/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well decorated and homely. There are plans to involve the children in personalisation of the spaces. One child was researching designs and ideas for developing the games room area. Children say that they are happy living at the home. One child said, ‘I love living here, everyone is amazing and really nice. There is nothing I would change.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children’s hobbies and encourage their interests. Children have visited theme parks, played pool and been bowling. They plan activities for the month ahead in discussions with staff. Children enjoy time with friends and family. Staff work proactively with people who are important to children to ensure that the time children spend with them is meaningful and safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the barriers to attending education. Where children do not currently attend school, the staff are creative in supporting educational sessions at the home. This is delivered alongside the formal education timetable in place. Clear routines are in place to support and promote engagement. One child has shared their wish to return to school. This is currently being explored with all professionals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Specialist psychological support is available to children from the in-house therapy team. This is sensitively delivered, with a focus on therapeutic relationships at its core. As a result, children engage positively with this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are making some progress in all areas of their lives. This progress reflects the nurturing care and support provided by staff. Professionals recognise the support and praise the staff for their commitment to children.

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

Children feel safe living at the home and can identify trusted adults who they can go to for support. Staff understand each child’s individual experiences and their associated risks. There are plans and risk assessments in place that address any vulnerabilities for each child. These offer clear guidance for staff to take to manage these risks. Staff respond with appropriate boundaries and are consistent in their approaches. There is evidence that these risks are beginning to reduce because of this.

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

Staff have meaningful conversations with children. Children talk openly to staff about their previous experiences. Staff respond with empathy and nurture. Conversations take place following incidents to help children to reflect on what has happened and how they were feeling. They are encouraged to explore positive ways to manage these feelings.

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

Restraint has been used in the home for one child. This is used as a last resort to safeguard children and others. When restraint has been used, it has been proportionate. Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 4 Before using restraint, staff have attempted to support children in line with agreed strategies. Records are clear and detailed and have good management oversight. Learning from these incidents has resulted in a measured reduction in the use of restraint for the child.

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

There has been one complaint from a child. Professionals provided a consistent response to the child. This has enabled the child to confidently speak to staff about the issues that they are unhappy about. Staff discuss ways to resolve this; the use of compromise has proven effective. Subsequently, there have been no further complaints made.

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

Positive behaviour is consistently promoted to build children’s self-esteem. There have been two occasions when sanctions have been used. These were logical and have had the desired effect for children to aid their learning. The manager recognises the benefits of positive rewards over sanctions, and children respond well to this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager of the home has recently been registered. She embeds a culture of high expectations and aspirations for all children. The staff are confident in the manager and note positive changes since she has started in her role. The manager is a strong advocate for children in all areas of their life. She works proactively and positively with all professionals to ensure that children get the support they need. When there are delays in this, the manager escalates this appropriately and effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is properly staffed and resourced to meet the needs of the children. Staff feel supported in their roles and enjoy working in the home. The staff show high levels of resilience and work collaboratively to provide consistent support for children. Supervisions are robust, effective and take place regularly. Team meetings are detailed and reflective, focusing on reviewing the care and support of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Decisions about children coming to live at the home are inclusive and balance the needs of the children already living there. All moves into the home are well planned and at a pace that is suitable for children. Staff prepare the children and support them to reduce any anxieties that they may have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas of development. There is a clear and detailed home development plan with targets that are regularly reviewed and updated. The manager actively and regularly monitors the quality of care provided. Feedback is requested from professionals and family members.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are clear systems in place to monitor the progress that children are making. Professionals recognise the progress that children are making as a direct result of living in the home. They are positive about the communication from the home and praise the manager for her commitment to the care of the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 5 Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 6

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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: SC363393 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keys Educational Services 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

Carly Parry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC363393 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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