Children's home run by Keir Lock Children’s Homes Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2602813 1 Registered provider: Keir Lock Children’s Homes Ltd 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 company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living at the home at the time of this inspection and both were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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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

Date of last inspection: 25 February 2025

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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: 2602813 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/02/2025 Full Good 13/12/2023 Full Good 24/08/2022 Full Good 03/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2602813 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say that they are happy at this home and that they get along well with the staff. They are supported to share their views and wishes about the care that they receive, and their thoughts and requests are discussed during staff team meetings. This means that staff provide children with prompt feedback to demonstrate how they have been listened to. Children say that they are treated fairly and feel safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to attend school and achieve well. When children struggle to attend school, staff work with teachers and education professionals to introduce flexible timetables. This has helped children to gradually increase their confidence in the classroom environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are being met. Children are supported by staff to attend their health appointments and follow the medical advice of health professionals. This has led to some children achieving some positive health outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to spend time with friends and family. Family members can identify the progress that their child has made from living at the home. They say that staff take the time to help their child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved out of the home since the last inspection. This was a successful move; the child continues to thrive and has remained in contact with staff at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The environment is warm and homely. It is clean and tidy, well furnished, and decorated to a good standard. The home has benefited from ongoing refurbishment and development. Photos on the walls show children interacting with each other and with staff, capturing moments of enjoyment and connection. Children’s bedrooms are well decorated and have been personalised according to their tastes.

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

The manager carries out detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These enable staff to understand each child’s risks and vulnerabilities. Sometimes, children display behaviours that may be challenging for staff. The manager provides clear guidance in safety plans for staff to follow to keep children safe. As a result, significant incidents involving children are rare.

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

When children harm themselves, staff respond with care and compassion. When staff encounter behaviours they find challenging, they use therapeutic guidance to inform their approach. Staff seek to understand children’s feelings and offer them alternative strategies to express their emotions. Inspection report for children’s home: 2602813 4 Children live in a safe environment. The appropriate staffing ratio ensures that children receive the necessary supervision and support. Safeguarding practice is good. Staff have received safeguarding training, and they know how to identify and raise safeguarding concerns.

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

Staff follow the agreed safety plans when children go missing from the home. They look for the child in the local area and the places where they may go. Staff try to contact and engage with the child until the child is safely found and returned home by staff or others, including the police. When children return home, staff are welcoming and curious about the reasons why they went missing.

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

Staff help children to consider the likely consequences of their actions in the wider world. As a result, children are encouraged to develop socially acceptable behaviours and safe ways to express their emotions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have taken action to address the requirement and recommendations that were raised at the last inspection. Regular internal audits help managers to maintain oversight of the home, monitor what is going on for children and staff, and take action to address any concerns.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings provide staff with support and guidance on how to help children achieve positive outcomes. These meetings provide staff with the time and opportunity to explore children’s individual needs, progress, and the barriers to their progression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy working at the home and feel supported by their colleagues and managers. They say that the environment is homely and that children benefit from positive relationships and genuine care. Staff highlight that this helps the children to thrive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment checks are in place. The registered manager has oversight of all checks so that they can determine that staff are suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective systems in place to monitor and review the quality of care that children receive. They have a good understanding of the areas in need of development in the home. As a result, they are aware of children’s progress and celebrate their achievements. Inspection report for children’s home: 2602813 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: 2602813 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Keir Lock Children’s Homes Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Thompson’s Yard, New Street, Ossett, West Yorkshire WF5 8BH

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Inspector

Rachael Lewis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2602813 7 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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