Children's home run by Keswick Care Limited in Wakefield

Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 1 SC067865 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 home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection and both children were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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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: 28 January 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/01/2025 Full Good 09/10/2023 Full Good 28/09/2022 Full Good 20/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children enjoy living in this exceptional home and they are thriving. One child said, ‘This is family; they have taught me what a family should be.’ Children benefit from established, trusted and strong relationships with staff. There is a calm atmosphere and the home is filled with laughter. Children are loved and know that they are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children describe staff as ‘really caring’ and they are very happy. Children are empowered to lead and direct their own care and chair their own review meetings. Children have regular and meaningful input into their plans and risk assessments, which are easy for the children to understand. The views and wishes of children are at the centre of decision-making.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children who have previously struggled with education are now making excellent and sustained progress. Children’s learning is consistently and creatively supported. Achievements are recognised and celebrated, and the aspirations of children are nurtured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

There is an established positive culture in the home and children benefit from consistent, warm and nurturing care in a stable environment. Children said that staff talk with them about issues that are important to them. Children said that they can talk to staff about anything and they will be listened to. Children said that staff respect their choices, needs and sexuality and are ‘amazing’ about everything. Staff are always available for the children and, when necessary, they will sit with them into the night to provide comfort and reassurance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

When children move into or out of the home, this process is planned with detail. Older children receive accredited learning and creative support from staff to develop their independence skills in preparation for their next chapter. Children review their progress towards their goals, with staff offering additional or enhanced support when needed. Children are helped by staff to complete practical booklets that they take to their new home. The informative booklets contain information about the local area, emergency contact numbers and services. This gives children the ability to move forward with confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s daily lives are enriched by a wide variety of social and leisure activities. Children have enjoyed numerous ‘first time’ experiences, including pumpkin picking, holidays abroad and daytrips out. Children have links with their community and take part in community activities and local charity events, including taking lunch to an elderly neighbour each week. This wide range of activities is building the children’s confidence and social skills, and is captured in their memory books. These books are a bright and colourful daily celebration of the children’s lives. Children are showered with praise and positive affirmations, and their memory books are an excellent example of recording special times in the children’s lives. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 4

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

Children are supported by skilled and knowledgeable staff who offer consistently high- quality care. Staff speak with professionalism and confidence and have an excellent knowledge of the help that children need. Children said they are ‘100% safe’ in the home and have learned how to trust.

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

Children do not need staff to physically intervene to keep them safe and they choose to spend time with the staff. When incidents happen, there is a thorough and comprehensive response from staff. This is supported by professional curiosity and a review and analysis of any previous concerns. This ensures that clear additions to risk assessment and plans enhance the children’s safety and prevent the same thing happening again. Risks to children have significantly reduced.

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

When children are subject to court-ordered restrictions, these do not limit their opportunities, development or ability to take appropriate risks. The ongoing review of the order is structured and child led. A clear pictorial plan helps children to fully understand the restrictions in place. Children respond to clear boundaries and expectations and said that they feel ‘safe and secure’.

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

Regular talks with children have helped them to learn the skills to keep themselves safe. Staff are creative in their efforts to engage children. Discussions are research based, which enhance the skills and knowledge of staff and of the children. Every effort is made to help children understand. Concerns are revisited regularly and supported by fun work sheets, quizzes, videos and external support when needed. There is clear progress for children, who are increasingly able to manage their emotions and use recognised strategies to manage their mental health.

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

Staff fully understand their safeguarding responsibilities and have an exceptional knowledge and understanding of risks to children. The right people are involved in the care of children. The manager and staff have extensive knowledge of local services. This has enabled referrals to be made to outside agencies to gain specialist support and information. Staff work closely with the in-house psychotherapist and there is a joined- up approach to support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is an inspirational role model who demonstrates enhanced leadership skills and the modelling of excellent practice. She has meticulous oversight of the home and speaks passionately about the children and their welfare. The manager treasures the children in her care. External scrutiny is welcomed and responded to. Feedback is valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is highly ambitious for the children and her staff. She advocates with confidence for the rights of children, providing challenge when necessary. This brings Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 5 significant positive changes to children’s care and leads to better outcomes for children. Staff are inspired to be creative in their support for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager ensures that research supports staff practice in a practical and meaningful way. Staff continually discuss and review best practice and this links into plans and risk assessments. Research is threaded and embedded throughout documents and promotes the children’s development. Children are supported by well-informed, knowledgeable and trained staff, who benefit from being led by an informed and experienced manager. Staff feel empowered by the manager to inspire children to want to take care of themselves, physically and mentally.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are continually supported to reflect, achieve and progress through child-focused supervisions sessions, regular meetings and the ongoing review of developments in the sector. The advancement of the staff’s skills is prioritised. Staff are encouraged to review their development and aim for career progression. Individual plans are then created to help staff achieve their goals and enhance their skills and knowledge. This continues to help them meet the children’s needs and supports their progress and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about the manager. They said that she embodies ‘passionate, committed and nurturing care’. Children described the manager as ‘funny, kind and caring’ and ‘the best person to have in your family’. Staff are proud of the home, each other and the skills that they have acquired. Staff said, ‘It is a fantastic place to work.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager demonstrates exceptional oversight of a welcoming, cosy and safe home. It is designed to meet the needs of the children. There are spaces for quiet times, including a sensory ‘zen den’ and personalised rooms of the children’s choosing. Toys, pictures and games enhance the home. There are detailed audits and clear oversight of any health and safety issues. The local area assessment is a comprehensive working document that is updated to reflect all known resources and risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Families and carers recognise that their children are happy and achieving. Staff communicate very well with the children’s families, who describe staff as ‘amazing’. One family member said, ‘[Child’s name] has come on leaps and bounds and now has hopes and dreams for their future.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals said that children make considerable progress, and they feel absolutely assured that children are cared for by nurturing staff. The quality of professional relationships is excellent. Professionals speak highly of staff, recognising them as a committed and child-centred team that secures excellent outcomes for children. Comments such as staff are ‘amazing and go above and beyond’ are common. Professionals could not praise the care in the home highly enough and no concerns were raised. This regular contact with a wide range of external professionals and outside agencies secures excellent care and experiences for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 6

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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: SC067865 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: Unit 17 Cedars Business Centre, Barnsley Road, Hemsworth, Pontefract WF9 4PU

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Inspector

Jo Cansfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC067865 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

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Inspector

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Inspector

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