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

Inspector Jackie Line

The home was good at the full inspection on 5 January 2016 and judged to have sustained effectiveness at the last interim inspection on 14 March 2016.

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Inspector Jackie Line

On 3 July 2016, Ofsted was notified by the provider about a serious incident in the home involving a young person who had self-harmed. A monitoring inspection was carried out to review the safeguarding arrangements in place following this incident.

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Inspector Jackie Line

This inspection identified some shortfalls. Risks assessments are not always clear, and some information contained in them is not up to date. This can be misleading and confusing for staff and does not fully promote the welfare and safety of young people.

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Inspector Jackie Line

Discrepancies were found between the written record of night time observations carried out by staff, and those provided through electronic data from the door alarm system. This signifies that staff may not have carried out their duties in line with the specific risk management plan in place, and this puts young people at risk of harm. Furthermore, managers have not sufficiently monitored records to identify this and taken action to address it.

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Inspector Jackie Line

Immediate action was taken by the registered manager to ensure that all staff understand their roles and responsibilities in respect of checking on young people’s welfare during the night and that they follow the risk management plan. An internal investigation is now under way to identify why discrepancies exist between the different recording systems. The outcome of this investigation will be forwarded to Ofsted.

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Inspector Jackie Line

When changes are made to young people’s risk management plan, managers do not consult with all relevant parties to gain their agreement. This does not demonstrate good care planning or robust safeguarding practice.

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Inspector Jackie Line

The young person displaying self-harming behaviour has recently moved in to the home, having transferred from one of the organisation’s other children’s homes. Placement planning is not sufficiently robust because some key information was not shared and records of planning meetings held are not clear. Insufficient care planning does not fully promote the welfare of young people.

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Inspector Jackie Line

The inspection identified some good practice. Staff and managers work hard to enable young people to settle in to the home. Staff invest time and energy in building relationships. Similarly existing residents are very welcoming of those who are new to the home. Staff engage young people in constructive and enjoyable activities, which helps to develop their confidence and self-esteem. The inspector observed very positive interactions between staff and young people, and young people appear relaxed and comfortable in their home environment.

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Inspector Jackie Line

Assigning the right key worker is a well thought-out process based on the needs of each young person and the skills and personality of the member of staff. The young person new to the home is responding really well to their key worker and this is contributing to some progress being made. For example, they have now resumed their medication routine because of the support and intervention of their key worker. This will improve their health and well-being. This inspection identified that the arrangements for the storage and administration of medication are safe.

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Inspector Jackie Line

Young people receive good support overall. Managers ensure that young people have access to specialist emotional support in response to their needs. Furthermore, they are provided with lots of opportunities to talk with staff about things that are worrying them, and to reflect on their behaviour. Consequently, young people think about how their behaviour impacts on themselves and others and this is helping them to think differently about the choices they make. Two requirements are raised following this inspection to secure improvement.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider, and is registered to care for up to seven young people. The home provides care and accommodation for young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

12: The protection of children standard In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure: (2)(a) that staff: (i) assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child. In particular that risk assessments are clear and contain up-to- date information. (v) understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. In particular, that staff carry out welfare checks on young people in line with their risk management plan, and that the registered manager undertakes monitoring activities to ensure that staff are carrying out their responsibilities. 15/8/2016

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Requirement Due date

14: The care planning standard In order to meet the care planning standard, the registered person must ensure that children: (1)(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home. In particular, review pre-placement information to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been shared in respect of young people new to the home, and that any change to risk management plans is agreed with relevant parties. 15/08/2016

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. in 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 this guidance, please telephone 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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