Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Westmorland and Furness

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the 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

The acting manager has taken effective action to address five out of six recommendations raised at the last inspection. Improved practice across a number of areas raises standards, and enhances the experiences of young people. At the time of the last inspection the home was experiencing a particularly turbulent period. Notice had been served on three young people whose behaviour was impacting negatively on others. They have all now moved on, and the home is demonstrably more settled. The number of significant incidents has reduced considerably, together with the frequency of physical interventions. Young people confirm the home is calmer, and quieter, and they are clearly benefiting from a period of stability. All young people continue to make good progress. For example, school attendance remains high, and staff maintain close links with teachers to support young people’s learning and behaviour. Health needs are well met; a young person new

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

to the home is registered with relevant services, and has already attended routine appointments. This demonstrates that staff are proactive, and promote young people’s well-being. Some young people enjoy independent time away from the home in line with their age and needs. Being able to enjoy ordinary, age appropriate freedoms safely reflects significant progress from their starting points. For example, one young person is now maintaining positive peer relationships, something he struggled with in the past, and he no longer goes missing. All participate in a range of community activities such as football, dance, and gym sessions enabling them to constructively channel their energies. Staff support young people to maintain safe and positive contact with those who are important to them, sometimes travelling substantial distances in order to do so. Consequently, they prioritise young people’s needs and act in their best interests.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has seen his mum for the first time in a number of years, and this is a positive step forward for him. The sensible manner in which he reportedly managed this reflects his growing emotional maturity. Parents demonstrate confidence in the support provided to young people and work in partnership with staff. One parent says her son has ‘settled well’, and the home provides a ‘great service’. Well managed introductions to the home allow young people to experience a positive transition. They receive information before they arrive, and meet staff from both home and school. As a result, they are able to ask questions and allay their fears. Improvements made to impact risk assessments mean they contain more detail, and fully consider the impact of a new young person on the existing group. This strengthens admissions processes and ensures the acting manager only accepts young people when she is confident the home can meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A protocol is now in place to escalate concerns with placing authorities when timely missing from home return interviews do not take place. The organisation has also introduced an interim measure to ensure that young people are seen within 72 hours of their return by someone who does not work at the home. This provides them with an opportunity to speak with someone not directly caring for them about their reasons for going missing. Only one missing episode has occurred between inspections, and consequently such incidents are rare. New measures strengthen record keeping. This means that moving forward decisions about whether or not to suspend a member of staff during a safeguarding investigation will be clearly recorded. Improved safeguarding processes protect young people more robustly. Young people’s views are valued by staff. They are fully included in all aspects of care planning and day to day life. For example, they contribute to their support

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

plans, and regularly reflect on progress with their key workers. Mechanisms in place ensure their views inform staff appraisals, and this is a development following the last inspection. Staff morale is high, and they report being well supported. An improvement in the frequency of supervision means they are now receiving this in line with company expectations. A member of staff described the leadership of the home as ‘spot on’ demonstrating confidence in the management team. The acting manager has introduced some new developments between inspections including, securing feedback from partner agencies more consistently, a progress pack for young people charting their journey through the home, and a review of consequences ensuring that any financial reparation is proportionate and time limited. She demonstrates drive, resilience, and a clear commitment to improving practice. She has submitted an application to register with Ofsted, and this brings

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with it greater stability for the team, and for young people. External monitoring is not yet sufficiently robust. Some improvements have been made to strength quality assurance monitoring by bringing in an external provider to carry out monthly visits. Because these take place when young people are at school, the opportunity to consult with them is lost. Furthermore, reports contain conflicting information, and some text is copied from previous reports, which is unhelpful. The organisation is currently taking steps to address these issues, and the recommendation made at the last inspection is repeated to allow time for the new arrangements to settle and improve. This inspection identified two additional shortfalls. A young person’s risk assessment does not consistently provide management strategies for all known risks, and two personal education plans are not available in the home. Recommendations are made to review and address these areas to secure further

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Information about this children's home

This is a private children’s home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to eight children at any given time who may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 Interim sustained effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 Ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Specifically that risk assessments include risk management strategies for all known risks (The guide to the quality standards, page 42, paragraph 9.5).

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Recommendations

 Ensure that all children's case records (regulation 36) are kept up to date and stored in the home, specifically in relation to personal education plans (The guide to the quality standards, page 62, paragraph 14.3).

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Recommendations

 Strengthen the external monitoring processes in place to ensure a more rigorous, impartial, evaluative and analytical assessment of the home which regularly includes the views of young people living there. (The Guide, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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

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Information about this inspection

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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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