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

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.2

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people benefit from being well-cared for by a stable, highly motivated and resilient staff team.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff are highly skilled at building strong trusting relationships with young people.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people are always at the centre of this home’s practice irrespective of the significant challenges they present.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff have the proven ability to quickly re-establish constructive family contact for young people and ensure it remains a positive experience for all concerned.

p.3

The children's home provision is good because:

 This team ensures excellent school attendance and actively supports their individual learning needs and interests so they can reach their full potential.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people enjoy taking part in a wide range of constructive activities both inside the home and in the community. Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported which demonstrably strengthens confidences and competencies.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff ensure timely specialist services are in place to effectively meet young people’s specific and more complex needs.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Good collaborative working is firmly established with relevant agencies to safeguard and promote young people’s welfare.

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The children's home provision is good because:

There are six areas for improvement. These are to; ensure a robust system in respect to independent return interviews; more stringent impact risk assessments prior to every new admission; further improve recording of safeguarding processes; increase the frequency of staff supervision; ascertain the views of young people and professionals as part of the annual appraisal of staff; and, strengthen the internal and external monitoring systems already in place.

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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

 To meet the protection of children standard, the children's home must ensure that young people have the opportunity to talk to an independent person on their safe return from being missing about their reasons for going missing. The home must demonstrate that this information is used to assess new risks and to put arrangements in place to protect each child. (The Guide, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

p.4

Recommendations

 To meet the care planning standard, the registered person must demonstrate that the home only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child's assessed needs as recorded in the child's relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 To further strengthen the homes child protection processes and to demonstrate adherence to their own policy, the reasons for deciding whether or not to suspend a member of staff during an investigation should be clearly recorded. (The Guide, page 44, paragraph 9.19)

p.4

Recommendations

 Ensure all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the young people in the home’s care and in particular, ensure all staff receive regular supervision at the frequency prescribed in their own policy. (The Guide, page 54, paragraph 10.20)

p.4

Recommendations

 Strengthen the internal monitoring systems in place to ensure that all staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording and in particular regard, but not limited to, notifications, impact risk assessments, support plans and sanctions. (The Guide, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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 always includes the views of young people living there. (The Guide, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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Recommendations

 Ensure annual appraisals of staff take into account the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and young people in the home’s care (The Guide, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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

p.5

Recent inspection history

19/02/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

p.5

good

Young people are happy and relaxed in this children’s home and benefit from strong trusting relationships with a stable team of skilled carers. Young people’s views on the qualities of individual staff members include, ‘He talks to me, listens and helps me’, ‘He makes good meals and takes me on activities I like’, ‘She just seems to knows when to leave me to do things on my own’, ‘She makes me laugh and treats me with respect’ and, ‘She knows what I like and dislike and looks after me when I am sick.’

p.6

good

Young people are actively involved in welcoming new admissions to the home. This helps them to settle quickly. Two young people recently successfully moved into semi-independent living. This was after developing the practical and emotional skills needed over four years at this home. They remain secure in the knowledge of continued support from the staff.

p.6

good

This experienced staff team have a proven ability to secure and maintain constructive family contact arrangements so it is a positive experience for all involved. One young person said, ‘Staff sorted it so I now see my brother monthly as well as my mum and dad. Next time we are going to watch a football match together.’ A professional wrote, ‘The staff transport my young person some considerable distance so she can meet her family.’

p.6

good

One young person has progressed from planned and highly supervised contact to unsupervised contact at the frequency of his choice. Another young person is soon to see his mum after many years. Understandably he is both excited and anxious so he has planned the entire day including the member of staff he wants to accompany him.

p.6

good

There are a good range of opportunities for young people to positively contribute to their daily lives and futures. Established processes include, regular house meetings, questionnaires and, one-to-one work. They are also involved in the continued development of the service. For example, one young person has compiled interview questions for the recruitment of staff. At the young people’s request new football nets have been purchased and they are transforming the garage into a gym. Young people know how to complain and have exercised that right with direct access to external advocates. They are listened to, their concerns fully investigated and outcomes reached in a timely manner to their satisfaction. This reinforces the fact that their opinions are genuinely valued which increases their confidence and self -esteem. Comments from young people include, ‘I am happy at this home and I like all the staff because they treat me with dignity and respect’, ‘The staff got

p.6

good

me a sofa for my bedroom’ and, ‘I am really pleased because I now have a new key worker who I have always got on really well with.’

p.7

good

All the young people are fit and healthy. They benefit from nutritious homemade meals, lots of fresh air and regular physical exercise. Consequently, one young person is now a healthy weight which has demonstrably improved his self -esteem. When another young person was admitted he had particularly low self-esteem reflected in poor personal hygiene. Now he takes great pride in his appearance. Another young person has developed good dental hygiene.

p.7

good

One young person has stopped smoking in this placement. To their credit, none of the young people smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol or take illicit drugs. A social worker wrote, ‘My young person does not smoke and she has been resident in the home for some time and is at an age where peer pressure could encourage her to smoke.’

p.7

good

The staff are strong and effective advocates for young people in ensuring they receive the assessments and specialist services they require to best meet their specific and more complex needs. This home also benefits from qualified therapists to support young people’s emotional and mental health needs. One young person initially chose not to engage in therapy. He now talks in depth about his traumatic past. Consequently, he is more emotionally aware and appropriately trusting. Another young person said, ‘In previous placements I have self -harmed. I have only done it once here soon after I came.’

p.7

good

This home secures excellent school attendance for all the young people, some of whom were not in education prior to admission. All are making good academic progress from their starting points. The majority attend the company’s school where twice daily handovers take place. This ensures a consistent approach to the unique learning, emotional and behavioural needs of each young person. A social worker said, ‘My young person was not in education for 12 months prior to this placement and is now attending every day and is progressing well.’

p.7

good

One young person was supported to attend an open day and an interview which have already secured him a place at college for next September. He said, ‘I am going to do health and social care. Because I’m in care I will be able to help others as I have gone through it myself.’ Prior to one young person’s planned and positive discharge she successfully completed her education and then a further course involving charitable works.

p.7

good

The wide range of constructive activities provided at this home is frequently highlighted as a key strength of this home by different placing authorities. One social worker said, ‘The staff ensure that all the children are provided with a variety of activities to keep them positively engaged and socialised.’ Recent examples include, golf, cycling, visiting museums, pamper nights and swimming.

p.8

good

Individual interests and talents are actively encouraged and supported which further strengthens confidences and competencies. One young person joined a local boxing club and had a personal mentor which helped him channel his emotions.

p.8

good

There are lots of photographs on display throughout the home of fun times spent together. Football is an interest they all share and one young person now uses his talents to coach others. They also enjoy playing cards and board games in the home reflecting a strong sense of belonging and the excellent relationships established. Comments from young people include, ‘I am happy here. I like the activities and we have nice food’, ‘I really like baking and playing chess with staff’ and, ‘The staff here are funny and take me out on activities that I enjoy.’

p.8

good

Parents and stakeholders are consistently very positive about the quality of care provided at this home and particularly highlight the, ‘Good communication’ afforded them. One parent said, ‘My son is kept safe here and is well looked after. He has a good bond with the staff and has come a long way in this home.’ A social worker wrote, ’The staff have a good understanding of my young person’s individual needs and they really invest in him.’ Judgement grade

p.8

requires improvement

Most of the young people feel safe and settled at this home with the security of long term placements. They get on well with their peers and say there is no bullying. Comments include, ‘I am now officially the longest resident of four years and it’s still good here’, ‘I have lived here for three years and I am happy. I see my mum every fortnight’ and, ‘I feel safe here. I like the staff. They are caring and listen to me.’

p.9

requires improvement

The majority of the young people respond well to the clear and consistent boundaries in place from a stable and competent staff team. In fact, teaching staff are visiting this home specifically to observe how they effectively manage one young person’s highly complex needs and behaviours. Another young person now has good sleeping patterns which positively impacts on his emotional well-being, behaviours and ability to learn.

p.9

requires improvement

A therapist wrote, ‘The behaviour of the young person who I work with has improved dramatically since she was placed there. This is due to firm and consistent boundaries and consequences for poor behaviour.’

p.9

requires improvement

Four professionals responded to the Ofsted survey. They all confirmed that: this home provides good quality care; the staff understand young people’s individual needs; and, they are kept safe. An independent reviewing officer wrote, ‘My young person has been settled at this home for a number of years and I have observed really positive and warm interactions with the staff. He has made particularly good progress at school supported by the care staff. The staff know him really well. He is well looked after and encouraged to take an appropriate level of responsibility.’

p.9

requires improvement

Safeguarding processes have continued to strengthen since the last full inspection. All the staff have received refresher training to ensure an appropriate response to any disclosures of abuse. Records demonstrate: correct procedures are followed; on-going effective liaison with the Local Authority’s Designated Officer, appropriate record keeping; and, good support to young people. Moreover, staff are currently actively challenging the police on a young person’s behalf for not taking one incident sufficiently seriously. Some staff are suspended as a neutral act during the investigation. In other circumstances, risk assessments are in place to enable them to continue working. However, records are not maintained demonstrating the discussions that culminated in these different decisions to show they are always made in line with company policy and safeguard all parties concerned. There is good monthly analysis of missing from home incidents clearly explaining

p.9

requires improvement

increases in April and July. Nevertheless, this was still a reduction for the young people in question. Overall, the frequency and duration has significantly reduced. The majority are a reaction to escalating behaviours in the home. They remain in the local area and quickly return safe and of their own accord after calming down.

p.10

requires improvement

One young person said, ‘I was only at the last children’s home for three weeks and I ran away every day. When I came here I thought about running but a member of staff chatted to me and I decided to stay. It was a good decision.’

p.10

requires improvement

One young person is happy in this placement but the pull of his family is very strong. Consequently, he would initially run from school to a family member. He said, ‘I just went to my uncles and nothing bad happened. Staff brought me back to the children’s home and I was treated good.’ Effective working relationships has ensured his safety and increased contact arrangements mean he no longer feels the need to run away.

p.10

requires improvement

Despite constant reminders by the manager of the home, independent return interviews are not always completed in a timely manner. Moreover, the outcomes of those that are undertaken are not shared with the home to try to prevent a re- occurrence. As a direct result of this inspection the responsible individual stated he will produce a formal escalation policy to be used across the company.

p.10

requires improvement

The staff have remained resilient throughout a, ‘Very trying’ few months with some young people displaying highly challenging behaviours. They have had to seek police assistance on a few occasions but this has not necessarily culminated in arrests. In fact, good working relationships with the police and the appropriate use of restorative justice has successfully avoided further criminalisation of young people. However, notice was served on three placements due to the levels of aggression and the negative influence and impact on the other young people.

p.10

requires improvement

Impact risk assessments are completed prior to each admission but they do not detail the risks and views of the young people already in placement and how these will be effectively managed. The Responsible Individual agreed with these findings and said they are already piloting a new format in another one of their children’s homes.

p.10

requires improvement

Young people contribute to their individual support plans and their specific requests are respected. This helps staff to understand their specific triggers and the most helpful ways of de-escalating situations and thereby avoid restraints. Examples include, ‘I do not like long one-to-one conversations but I will ask to speak to staff about things when I feel like it’, ‘I like my things to be in the right place in my bedroom but when I get upset I do throw things’, ‘I only like one member of staff sitting with me and talking to me away from everyone else, but I need time to chill first’ and, ‘I need to know I am being treated fairly and I don’t like it when staff say something I don’t understand.’

p.10

requires improvement

Three-monthly statistics and evaluation of restraints are maintained. This shows and explains a slight increase in November. Individual risk assessments are frequently reviewed and revised. These reflect progress made or if there are new risks, appropriate strategies are implemented. For example, a visual chart for one young person showing his daily routines in detail, demonstrably reduced the number of incidents and restraints. Another young person would initially try to run from staff vehicles to smoke cannabis. Both these risk taking behaviours have ceased in this placement.

p.11

requires improvement

Timely and relevant key worker sessions take place following a serious incident. One young person, for example, explored current statistics in respect to knife crime and he was concerned that a criminal record can affect getting into college. He was also alarmed learning that, ‘You can get a custodial sentence of five years just for being found with any knife.’

p.11

requires improvement

There is ample evidence of sessions with young people to raise their awareness of bullying, extremism, radicalisation and internet safety. This helps to keep them safe when on-line or enjoying independence in the community.

p.11

requires improvement

This home is currently reviewing their use of front ground recovery holds following a number of injuries. These are appropriately referred on to the designated officer and young people are checked after five, 30 and 60 minutes following this advanced and high risk restraint. The home’s stated intention is to significantly reduce or cease altogether this particular hold.

p.11

requires improvement

Staff and young people both get separate opportunities to reflect after every restraint to explore if lessons can be learned to avoid a re-occurrence. One young person wrote,‘ I got angry over nothing. I feel fine about it now. I should have just walked away.’ They are also reviewed for effectiveness by a manager and advice given. For example, the staff are actively avoiding the dining room for one young person as a time out location because a pattern of increased aggression has been noted there.

p.11

requires improvement

All the required internal and independent health and safety checks are undertaken at the required frequencies and an on-going programme of re-decoration and refurbishment is in place. This ensures a safe and well-maintained building. Visitors to the home frequently highlight the warm, friendly environment created. One said, ‘It is always very welcoming.’

p.11

requires improvement

Regular fire drills at different times of the day and night ensure that all young people know what to do in the event of a real fire. Recently this proved effective. Prompt action by the staff ensured a fire was extinguished and all the young people safely evacuated before the fire service arrived. They said the situation had been well managed. However, notice has been served on a young person as a direct consequence.

p.12

requires improvement

Robust recruitment and selection processes are well-established to ensure a safe and competent workforce.

p.12

requires improvement

An experienced and suitably qualified individual is covering the vacant manager position. In turn, she is well supported by her deputy.

p.12

requires improvement

Together, they ensure sufficient staff at all times to meet the diverse needs and personal preferences of all the young people. The working relationships between the therapeutic service and care staff is particularly strong. This ensures that staff are well equipped to respond effectively to young people’s emotional needs.

p.12

requires improvement

The majority of the staff team have completed the qualification required of their respective roles. They also confirm timely access to a good range of courses that are reflective of young people’s needs. Comments from staff include, ‘There is a good induction and staff training programme in place’, ‘I am up-to-date with my training and feel confident with the job role. All the team are helpful with any issues I may have’ and, ‘The safeguarding and child sexual exploitation training plus the new policy and procedures are now to a high standard’.

p.12

requires improvement

Staff are very satisfied with the clear direction and on-going support from their current managers. They also confirm good quality supervision. However, the formal individual sessions do not consistently take place at the frequency prescribed in this company’s own policy. Moreover, this has been highlighted as a shortfall in four external monitoring reports.

p.12

requires improvement

The appraisal system is an ongoing evaluation of an individual’s personal development throughout the year and includes three formal review meetings. However, the process does not include young people’s views and the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year.

p.12

requires improvement

Young people benefit from being well-cared for by a stable, highly motivated and resilient staff team. Comments include, ‘I have worked here for 10 years and I really love it’, ‘This staff team all work effectively together with the same goal of ensuring our young people are safe, happy and are listened to within their home’ and, ‘We are an excellent staff team who are always striving to better ourselves.’

p.13

requires improvement

The statement of purpose is regularly reviewed and revised as necessary to ensure it always accurately reflects the aims, practices and staffing structures within the home and wider organisation.

p.13

requires improvement

Development plans are in place to make continuous improvements across the company as a whole. For example, senior managers recognise the need to formalise an escalation process to ensure all statutory documentation is received in a timely manner.

p.13

requires improvement

Independent monitoring visits are undertaken every month. The reports produced are detailed and factual, but lack evaluation and analysis. For example, there was no explanation given for three injuries that took place in September. Also, two visits have taken place when all the young people are at school so their views were not directly ascertained. Consequently, the responsible individual met with a new provider and have agreed expectations to ensure a more stringent process from January 2016.

p.13

requires improvement

Placement plans clearly detail individual needs and targets which are reviewed monthly. An evaluative report is then produced demonstrating young people’s continued progress which is forwarded to their social workers. This means they are kept well-informed.

p.13

requires improvement

One requirement and three recommendations were made at the last interim inspection on 17 February 2015. In response, safeguarding procedures and the promotion of education has significantly improved. There is also clear documentary evidence that specific educational targets are well known and supported by staff. Examples include: joining a gym and football training to improve physical fitness; providing a laptop and desk in bedrooms; and, completing additional mathematic exercises online.

p.13

requires improvement

A new format has also been developed to better record sanctions imposed. In general they are now more relevant to the particular misdemeanour. For example, when one young person damaged his bedroom furniture he helped staff to build his replacements. Another young person paid off damage caused by doing extra jobs in the house.

p.13

requires improvement

However, some financial reparation does not even commence for several months so it is not effective or meaningful to young people. The monitoring of these records is still not sufficiently robust.

p.14

requires improvement

Notifications of significant incidents are forwarded to Ofsted in a timely manner and regular updates provided. These demonstrate that correct procedures are followed and effective collaborative working with relevant safeguarding agencies. However, some are not in sufficient detail. This means clarity has regularly to be sought by inspectors especially in respect to actions to try to prevent a further occurrence. Team leaders have recently taken on this role, but the quality is not being monitored by their managers. In fact, there is still a general lack of stringent monitoring of record keeping so this recommendation has been repeated from the last inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of looked after children is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place, however, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

p.15

What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 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

p.16

Information about this inspection

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,

p.17

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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