Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection young people have improved their grades at school, shown better engagement in therapeutic sessions, demonstrated greater toleration of others and tried out new activities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who were at risk from exploitation are now settled and no longer go missing from the home. This risk is diminished to the extent that harbouring notices have been revoked. Young people say they feel safe here. They know they can rely on staff who provide them with emotional warmth and affection, good humour and clear boundaries.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A significant improvement since the last inspection has been the reduction in challenging behaviour, and, as a result, the number of physical restraints. The well-established routines of the home give young people a clear structure to their day, as well as a feeling of stability and security. This contributes to the effective management of their emotional and behavioural needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are supported, through highly effective key working, to understand their behaviour. This encourages them to reflect and implement their own strategies to defuse or de-escalate situations. One young person recorded that, 'I had a few blips but I have recovered quite well and have had no holds – I feel I have been really, really good.'

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have 100% school attendance. There is very close collaboration between schools and the home. This helps to address any 'dips' in educational performance, ensuring that young people will meet and in some cases exceed their predicted grades. As with any good parent, staff use every opportunity to enhance young people's learning, for example, calculating the scores when playing darts, or reciting their 'times tables' on car journeys.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people who are moving on to independence are fully engaged in preparing for this and the world of work. Learning how to manage household tasks are broken down in a sensible way to meet their particular needs. In this way, young people are not set up to fail and can achieve their objectives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been improvement in setting goals for young people and how these are to be achieved. These are more clearly defined and enable young people to experience a number of 'quick wins' as well as consolidating more lasting change.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The consistently high level of collaborative working with professionals in education, therapeutic services and police contribute positively to young people's safety and progress. The home has now introduced 'internal team around the child' meetings, which keep young people's interests firmly at the centre of professional practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people's well-being is constantly monitored by the manager and her deputy staff. This ensures any obstacle to their development or safety is quickly identified and addressed. Young people's sustained progress since the last inspection demonstrates that this scrutiny is very effective.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are pro-active in maintaining their professional development. Since the last inspection, staff have refreshed their mandatory training, and undertaken additional training on radicalisation. They can now also access 'seven minute' briefings provided by local authorities on serious case reviews. The manager and deputy manager are close to completing their Level 5 management awards.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Requirements and recommendations made to improve the independent visitors report, escalation mechanisms and risk assessments relating to the use of surveillance measures have been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement to amend the statement of purpose complies is only partly met. A gap remains in explaining how the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention will be measured. This has no adverse impact on young people; the impact of therapy is clearly evident in young people's improved behaviour, learning and emotional health. A new requirement is set for the provider to address this matter and ensure compliance with the regulations.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children's home. It is registered for eight young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

20/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Information about how the effectiveness of any healthcare or therapy provided is measured, the evidence demonstrating its effectiveness and details of how the information or the evidence can be accessed. (Regulation 16 (1) (Schedule 1 (14 b)) 08/04/2016

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, 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 who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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