Children's Home run by Keswick Care Limited in Wakefield

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff warmly welcome children and young people to the brightly decorated, inviting home. Bedrooms are highly personalised ready for their arrival. The existing residents are involved during introductions and paint canvases for the newly admitted child or young person. Consequently, positive relationships develop and children and young people settle quickly. Staff go over and above to create a safe and welcoming environment. This includes holding a belated Christmas day after staff discovered one child had missed these celebrations. One young person said, ‘This is my family. This is my home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work closely with education professionals ensuring that children and young people enrol at the most appropriate school or college. Children and young people follow school routines while they are waiting for their education placement. This prepares them for the structure of being in education. A room used for home tuition was decorated and named ‘The Future Zone’ by children and young people. This boosts their use of the space. Those receiving home tuition are engaging well. They complete work in a range of topics, with the home tutor saying, ‘[Name of young person] has done more work in our three months together than she did at her previous school. The head teacher was very impressed at her portfolio and the work she has done.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff receive training in attachment theory and use this knowledge to re-parent children and young people who have experienced early trauma. They are sensitive and adaptable to children and young people’s individual needs. Staff are child focused and use a range of techniques to work at a child or young person’s emotional age. Children and young people feel safe to regress to a younger developmental stage and enthusiastically seek cuddles from staff. This makes them feel safe and secure.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager employs a psychologist to avoid unnecessary delays for children and young people needing a therapeutic service. The home has a specially adapted therapy room, where children and young people feel at ease engaging with clinical services. The available staff provide immediate support, enabling children and young people to readily engage and address their emotional needs. There are reduced negative outbursts, with improvements in sleep routines. A carer said, ‘This is the calmest I have seen [name of young person]. I am very, very impressed with staff.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people develop positive and trusting relationships with staff. Instead of getting angry, children and young people speak to staff and express their feelings, and staff help them manage their emotions. Children and young people make progress in the self-regulation of their negative behaviour so that physical restraints are not necessary. One young person said, ‘I think I have changed a lot. My attitude, swearing and fighting is not as bad.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are creative during key-working sessions and educate children and young people about substance misuse, child sexual exploitation and other dangers. Missing-from-home episodes have drastically reduced after a young person moved to a more specialist placement. The existing children and young people do not go missing from home. They are no longer at such a high risk of child sexual exploitation. This is due to staff working closely with police and the missing persons coordinator who visit the home to build relationships with young people. One staff member said, ‘Educating [name of young person] has been the key thing. It has made her safe and more confident.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people move from the home in a planned way, avoiding unnecessary moves. Staff sensitively work with young people to support their moves that include returning to family, moving into more specialist placements and moving on to semi-independent accommodation. Outreach work includes therapeutic support and advice given to parents from the psychologist. Staff keep in contact with young people, who benefit from the ongoing practical and emotional support, to help maintain their new placements.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and staff are committed and enthusiastic. Staff enjoy caring for the children and young people, and have an excellent knowledge of them. Staff receive regular and consistent guidance and support. They also benefit from reflective supervision and team meetings. Access to a wide range of training reflects the manager’s commitment to staff development. Consequently, staff become confident in their work and highly motivated to help children and young people make progress in all areas of their lives.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and managed. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural needs.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 12/07/2016 Full Outstanding

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection’.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children’s home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference that adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition, the inspectors have tried to understand what the children’s home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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’ the guidance ‘Raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

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

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