Children's Home run by Keswick Care Limited in Wakefield

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183197 1 Registered provider: Keswick Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides medium- to long-term care for up to four children. There are currently two children living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 12 May 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 8 and 9 August 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183197 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

Children receive individualised, nurturing care from staff, which results in positive and trusting relationships. The staff know the children well and are therefore quickly aware if they need additional emotional support. One of the children said, ‘The staff have our best interests at heart. They want us to be the best version of ourselves.’

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The care of children

Systems for gathering children’s views have been strengthened. Children are engaging more in consultation and their views are better reflected in planning. Children feel listened to. One child said, ‘Things get done.’

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The care of children

Children are supported and encouraged to attend education. A school place has been obtained for one child who has been out of school for some time. Children who are not in education are encouraged to take part in home-schooling to prevent them from falling behind their peers.

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The care of children

Children are supported to develop practical skills so that they can become more independent. Children can see the progress that they make. Achievements are celebrated. Incentives are used to encourage positive behaviour, and one of the children recently achieved their goal of getting a pet hamster.

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The care of children

Children’s relationships with their families are supported, and the staff work alongside other services to ensure that arrangements are safe.

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The care of children

Children are encouraged to make healthy lifestyle choices. They are supported to address any emotional difficulties, which includes support from the in-house therapist.

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The safety of children

When children have needed to be held, the quality of recording has been improved. Children and staff receive a timely opportunity to talk about what has happened.

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The safety of children

Children’s risk assessments are detailed. The manager has introduced systems to ensure that all staff are aware of any changes to children’s plans. One of the children has significantly reduced their self-injurious behaviour because of the manager identifying possible triggers.

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The safety of children

Staff regularly call children who spend time in the community with family and friends to enquire about their welfare. The manager contacts other agencies so that any new risks are identified. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183197 3 Shortfalls in information-sharing meant that one child moved on prematurely as the location of the home presented risks which could not be safely managed without using a high number of holds. This impacted on the other children, who were concerned for the safety of everyone involved. They have benefited from a period of calm, although one of the children said that she is now ready for someone to move in so that they too can benefit from the help like she has done.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a stable team of staff who are committed to achieving positive outcomes for children. Staff say that they are well supported by the manager and their colleagues. This sense of being a team helps the children to receive consistent care. Supervision sessions and team meetings are used as opportunities for reflection and staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager and responsible individual have made improvements to the quality of recording, and children are now consistently offered the chance to talk to someone if restraint has been necessary.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A more robust process for assessing referrals has been developed so that the manager can be confident that the needs of all children will be met before any further admissions are progressed. Mechanisms to ensure that any future complaints or allegations are properly responded to have also been introduced. The impact of these improved systems has not yet been tested.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has developed an improved system for monitoring the maintenance of the home. This ensures that required repairs are carried out in a timely manner.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There have been issues with the quality and timeliness of the reports from the independent person. The responsible individual has recently taken steps to address this; however, it is too early to evaluate if these will lead to a more rigorous assessment of the quality of care.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2022 Full Good 09/10/2019 Full Good 23/04/2018 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183197 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keswick Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 17, Cedars Business Centre, Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4PU

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Inspector

Laura Grundy, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 1183197 5 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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