Children's home run by Keswick Care Limited in Wakefield

Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 1 SC448129 Registered provider: Keswick Care 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

This privately run children’s home provides care and accommodation for one child, or two children where one is the parent of the other.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 13 December 2016

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: None Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 2

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is outstanding because

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Key findings from this inspection

 Young people make exceptional progress in recognising their self-worth, because of the nurturing relationships that they have with staff.  Young people attend full-time education in a mainstream school where they are making excellent progress.  The inspirational manager and staff team focus on young people being safe, happy and achieving the best outcomes.  Young people are thriving as a result of high-quality, consistent care.  Young people feel safe and secure. As a result, there have been no ‘missing’ episodes and no requirement for physical intervention.  Outstanding collaborative working with partner agencies ensures consistent safety and outcomes for young people.  Continuous learning and training ensure that staff are fully equipped to manage issues that may arise, providing young people with protection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

13/12/2016 Full Outstanding 22/06/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 26/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 25/08/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is a two-bedroomed property in a quiet cul-de-sac. It is beautifully decorated throughout to a high standard, and has a warm and welcoming feel. Photographs of the young people and their family adorn the walls. Young people say that they feel happy and settled, and are able to contribute to the decoration and plans for the home. They enjoy living in a home that feels like a home, and like living in a close community where they know their neighbours. Young people take pride in their environment, and grow in confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Exceptional care planning ensures that complex needs are identified and met. Meticulous reviews of plans ensure that care is altered to meet the changing needs of young people. Staff are proactive and dynamic in their approach, and adapt their methods to match the young people. A staff member said, It’s about noticing when (Name’s) moods change, and being receptive to this and then choosing activities that she will join in with, rather than sticking to a rigid plan.’ Young people respond well to the high level of nurturing care provided to them. Strong attachments are formed and they learn to trust again.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Because of the dynamic approach by staff, young people are able to discuss issues in an informal way, resulting in natural conversations that allow for reflection and learning. One young person struggles with paperwork and does not like to feel that she is ‘in care’. Staff listen to this and adopt natural conversations relating to risk, rather than taking a formal approach that does not work. A young person said: ‘I feel listened to. I don’t always get what I want. Sometimes it’s a no, but I always understand the reasons why.’ Young people work with their key workers to develop their own plan. This encapsulates their wishes and feelings in such a way that it enhances the formal documents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The dedicated staff team and manager show genuine care and warmth for young people. Because of this, trusting relationships are built, empowering young people to accept their care and boundaries. This keeps them safe and allows them to explore the world around them in a protected way. A parent said ‘(Name) has come on in leaps and bounds, and she is happy and settled. The staff are amazing and always stay in touch with me. Because of (Home), I feel that I know my child again.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people are thriving, because of the consistent care that they receive. There is full attendance at mainstream school, at which young people are making impressive progress. For one young person, this is a huge achievement due to their struggle with social situations. Because of the tenacious efforts made by staff, the young person is participating fully and achieving, meaning that her confidence and self-esteem have grown significantly. Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 4 Close partnership working with generic and specialist professionals, including an in- house therapist, has further enhanced young people’s ability to progress and grow. Consequently, their emotional and psychological health and well-being are much improved, allowing them to make the most of their life opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people enjoy participating in a range of activities. One young person enjoys ice- skating lessons, charity work and working with animals, and is working towards her Duke of Edinburgh award. This promotes her feelings of self-worth and confidence. A young person has grown so much in confidence that she has applied to audition for the X Factor. Staff spend time looking for activities and pursuits that not only interest young people but also enhance their experiences in life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The excellent relationships that the staff relentlessly forge with family members allow children to restore and maintain important bonds that have been fractured. The sensitive supervision of contact arrangements allows for a relaxed and enjoyable time together. Staff regularly seek the views of family and advocate strongly for them when they feel that this is right for the young person. A parent said: ‘They’re (staff) brilliant. I’ve got to know my child again. I think they are better than outstanding.’

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

An excellent locality risk assessment ensures that the manager is fully aware of any potential risks to young people in the community. The manager is proactive in working in partnership with other agencies and organisations in the local area. Quarterly meetings enable the sharing of information and inform changes to risk assessments. This local knowledge and collaboration protects young people and keeps them safe. Strong links with the local police officer enable him to support staff with current matters and work directly with the young people on topical issues.

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

Young people have comprehensive, effective and individual risk assessments. These are reviewed regularly and risk is assessed on a daily basis. Staff review current risks using up-to-date research methods and recognise that risk is ever-changing. This allows for a dynamic and child-focused approach. As a result, young people remain consistently safe and protected. This enhances their confidence and allows them to develop in a safe environment.

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

There have been no episodes of being missing from home since the last inspection . However, staff remain vigilant with their training and development, and are able to act with speed and confidence in the event of a young person going missing. Staff remain up-to-date with known risks due to the effective partnership working in the local area. Consequently, young people are helped to remain safe and understand the potential risks around them.

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

When safety issues have appeared, staff are fast and proactive with protection. For example, when unexpected incidents occur, they are swift in developing a plan and taking action. They refocus on the young person and review imminent dangers. This has resulted in challenging partner agencies when their support has not been forthcoming. Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 5 Because of this strong challenge, services have been provided to help keep the young person safe.

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

The consistent use of excellent restorative practice empowers young people to develop appropriate ways of managing their feelings. Staff use a forward-thinking approach when dealing with issues. For example, they identified a risk associated with radicalisation. This was managed exceptionally well by using instances relevant to the young person and the issues that are important to them.

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

The enthusiastic and resilient staff are excellent role models. Their consistent and caring approach demonstrates respect and care for all. Young people learn from this and make outstanding progress in managing their previously aggressive behaviours. As a result, there has been no need for any physical restraint.

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

Complaints information is readily available for young people, and they know how to use it. They are listened to and supported in complaints. Because of this, young people feel safe, secure and confident to say when they are unhappy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager was registered in December 2015. She is currently nearing completion of her level 5 diploma in leadership and management. Her skills and experience plus vast knowledge make her a strong and aspirational guide. She is well supported by her team leader, who is passionate and enthusiastic in her approach to caring for young people. Staff are upbeat and positive in their attitudes. They are a well-established experienced team of staff who support and encourage one another.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager inspires staff to provide the best care for young people. Her staff team feels supported by her consistent presence and guidance. Because of this, staff are enthusiastic and hold equally high aspirations for young people. High-quality, reflective and regular supervision further cements the development of the staff. They feel empowered and confident in their roles. One member of staff said: ‘I get fantastic support here. I’m part of a team that works hard and has one focus.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The team leader has developed a comprehensive and innovative induction programme. This interactive tool also involves the young people, who have filmed themselves talking about their likes and dislikes. This model is used prior to new staff meeting the young people. This eliminates any impact on young people in the event that new staff feel that they cannot work at the home, further demonstrating the forward-thinking approach of the staff team and its focus on young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There were no recommendations or requirements at the last inspection and, because of the quality of care and outcome-focused work by this home, there are no recommendations or requirements identified at this inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff team have forged excellent professional relationships with partner agencies. This ensures that young people receive consistent, targeted care that Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 6 supports their progress. In addition, when necessary, challenges by the manager and team leader to services are strong and effective. This secures continued prolonged and consistent care for young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Regular team meetings allow for reflective practice and child-focused discussions. Team meetings start with all members of staff stating one positive thing that has happened. This sets the meeting up to be full of productivity and refocuses the team on the young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The external monitoring systems in place are excellent. They contribute to young people’s safety and promotion of their well-being. The manager states that the external monitoring helps to keep them on track and provides appropriate challenge for them as a home. This independent scrutiny makes sure that the high standards of care are maintained for young people, and pushes the team and manager to continuously improve their practice and outcomes for young people.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home’s statement of purpose says: ‘The aim of (Home) is to provide high-quality care in a warm and caring environment where the children and young people feel safe and secure, and are supported in coming to terms with their past and current issues and begin to prepare for their future.’ The progress of young people at this home is outstanding. The staff work tirelessly towards this goal to achieve the best outcomes for young people.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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 children’s home: SC448129 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keswick Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hylton House, 150 Barnsley Road, Hemsworth Pontefract WF9 4PQ

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Inspector(s)

Abby Maspero, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC448129 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(s)

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Inspector(s)

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Inspector(s)

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