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

Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 1 SC016124 Registered provider: Keys Group Progressive Care & Education Limited 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 2 children. The provider states in the home's statement of purpose that the home offers long-term and transitional placements for children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties. At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in the home.

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Information about this children's home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2018.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2024 Full Good 02/08/2023 Full Good 17/05/2022 Full Good 02/03/2022 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There were 2 children living in the home at the time of the inspection. No children have moved in or out of the home during the inspection period. Both children were spoken to, and both said that they like staff. One child said that they liked living at the home and feel safe and cared for. Children know how to complain and are confident that their concerns will be taken seriously.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make excellent progress from their starting points. Both children have made good progress with their education, developing positive routines and understanding their emotions. One parent commented that since living at the home, their child is now incredibly polite and has developed a positive routine, which the parent has been able to replicate when the child stays at their home. This demonstrates the positive impact that staff have on children's behaviour, and the good working relationships between staff and children's families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to learn independence skills that are in line with their individual needs and stages of development. Staff demonstrate patience and persistence with encouraging children to learn these skills. Plans are in place for one child to move on from the home. Staff are actively involved in planning for children to move on. This helps to ensure that the child's next staff team will be able to meet their individual needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a family feel to the home. Relationships between children and staff are warm, loving and consistent. Staff clearly care deeply for children, and this is evident in the way that they are kept at the centre of practice on a day-to-day basis. The secure and trusting relationships that staff have developed with children will have contributed significantly to the positive outcomes that both children have achieved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, welcoming and thoughtfully decorated. Walls display photographs of children and staff, which promote children's feelings of belonging. Children's bedrooms reflect their individual interests and are filled with personal items. Children take pride in their personal spaces.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide consistent boundaries and routines for children. However, both children have, at times, been reluctant to engage with activities outside of the home. While staff encourage their engagement, further work is needed to help children access community- basedactivities consistently, to broaden their experiences and further promote their social development.

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

There is a positive safeguarding culture in the home. Staff have a clear understanding of children's individual needs and risks, and the protocols to follow to keep children safe. Staff engage children in regular, meaningful conversations that explore important issues Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 4 and events in their lives. These discussions help children to learn about risks and develop strategies to keep themselves safe.

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

Children are supported to raise concerns around staff practice when issues arise. When concerns are shared, these are taken seriously and safeguards are implemented quickly to ensure children's safety. Investigations are undertaken appropriately and include close working with external safeguarding agencies. Leaders and managers ensure that follow up actions are completed, including feedback conversations with children, which mean that children feel listened to reassured.

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

Staff respond promptly and proactively to incidents when children go missing from home. They take appropriate steps to locate children, maintain contact where possible and work closely with relevant professionals, which help to bring children home quickly and safely. Reflective conversations take place with children following incidents, which help children to learn about risks and make safer choices.

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

When children self-harm, staff respond in a warm and caring way, and medical care is offered appropriately. Follow up conversations are held with children to help them reflect on their actions, which mean that children feel cared for.

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

Some restrictions are being used in the home that are not being regularly reviewed and may not be necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a passionate and child-focused manager who is committed to maintaining high standards of care. The manager has a clear understanding of the individual needs of the children and holds high expectations for what they can achieve. There is effective oversight by the registered manager who is aware of the home's strengths and areas for development, and who drives continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager's leadership creates stability and consistency for the children, contributing to their progress and wellbeing. There is an established core team, which contributes to a calm and nurturing environment. The continuity of care ensures that children experience predictable and secure relationships.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings and supervisions take place regularly. They are used effectively to review recent events, identify any required changes to practice and explore different ways to further support children. Staff say that these are useful forums for collaborative discussion and to explore other ways to support children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff engage with training that is relevant to the needs of the children in the home, which equips staff with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to complex behaviours. Staff speak highly of the manager and describe feeling well supported. They are proud of the children's progress and what they achieve for children as a close staff team. Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 5 External professionals say that children form close relationships with staff, who know them well. Staff provide a high standard of care to the children in the home and respond effectively to any safeguarding concerns. There are close working relationships among external professionals and staff in the home, and regular communication helps professionals to stay aware of any emerging concerns. Family members report good communication with staff and recognise the significant progress that their child has made while living at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that window restrictors are only used when the needs of children indicate their use. When restrictions are not required, these should not be used as they create an 'institutional' feel that detracts from the nurturing environment that the home otherwise provides. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are actively encouraged to engage with an array of activities that are enriching and enhance their social development. When children are reluctant to engage with activities that are offered, the registered person should ensure that creative approaches are used by staff to engage children with varied activities. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards', page 31, paragraph 6.5)

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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: SC016124 7

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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

Minnette Sims, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC016124 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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