Children's Home run by Keswick Care Limited in Wakefield

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1183197 1

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Keswick Care Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is a privately run children’s home. It is registered to provide medium- to long-term care and accommodation for up to four children with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous registered manager left a few days before this monitoring visit. There is currently a manager from another home providing cover.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted last visited this children’s home on 9 October 2019.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to address specific concerns in relation to safeguarding practice, to review the skills and knowledge of the staff team and to explore the management arrangements as there was no registered manager in post.

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This monitoring visit

An on-site visit was made to the home to speak to all the children, staff and the acting manager. Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, and to limit the time spent at the home, some of the inspection activity was completed remotely.

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This monitoring visit

The children enjoy living at the home and have good relationships with the staff. They feel listened to and involved in the running of the home. Staff help the children to develop independent living skills, such as menu planning, and during the visit one child was looking forward to baking a cake. One child said, ‘I love living here,’ and another said, ‘I will definitely visit when I leave, 100% I will.’

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This monitoring visit

The requirement raised at the last inspection in relation to matching risk assessments has been addressed. These documents are now completed before a new child moves into the home. This helps to ensure that risks are identified and that strategies are in place to support the child. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1183197 2 Children’s introductions to the home are well managed by staff. Prior to moving in, children have had virtual tours of the home and video calls to staff. This has helped to introduce the children to the home and enabled them to settle quickly.

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This monitoring visit

The current acting manager and a newly appointed development manager were working at the home before the registered manager left. This provided the opportunity for the registered manager to hand over duties and gave staff continuity of management. The current management team offers good oversight of staff practice, and the recruitment of a new manager is under way.

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This monitoring visit

Over the last six months, some staff have left, but the acting manager has been quick to recruit new staff. As a result, there are no current staff vacancies. The home’s statement of purpose was reviewed in January 2020. However, it has not been updated to reflect the staff and management changes.

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This monitoring visit

Staff receive a good induction and spoke of the comprehensive training package available. This includes face-to-face training, video training and online courses. When there is a gap in staff’s knowledge, such as gender identity or ligature training, the staff attend bespoke workshops. This ensures that staff have the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the children’s emotional and physical needs.

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This monitoring visit

The detailed behaviour management plans provide staff with clear guidance. Staff respond calmly to support children who are unable to manage their emotions. External agencies and the in-house psychotherapist also speak to the staff team and give guidance about the individual children living at the home. Staff feel supported by their colleagues and the managers. One said that this helps build their resilience when dealing with new and challenging situations.

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This monitoring visit

The acting manager promotes partnership working and meets regularly with external agencies. This offers the opportunity to share information. When needed, the acting manager will challenge professionals if they are not working in the child’s best interests. One social worker said: ‘They have worked really well with us. The communication between the home, the social worker and the child’s family has been good.’

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/10/2019 Full Good 23/04/2018 Full Good 06/06/2017 Full Outstanding 03/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1183197 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that the home’s statement of purpose is kept under review. The home’s statement of purpose should be child-focused, indicating how the home provides individualised care to meet the Quality Standards for the children in their care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 13, paragraph 3.5)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Tina Ruffles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1183197 4 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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