Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Lancashire

This monitoring visit

A full inspection was carried out on 26 October 2016 and the home was judged to be inadequate. Serious shortfalls were found, including unsafe restraint practice, a failure to record incidents of restraint factually and a failure on the part of some staff to recognise and report potential safeguarding concerns. As a result, two compliance notices were issued on 7 November 2016 to address these concerns.

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This monitoring visit

An unannounced monitoring inspection took place on 16 December 2016 to monitor the two compliances notices.

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This monitoring visit

This inspection found that sufficient action has been taken to ensure that restraint practice is safe. All ground holds have been removed from practice and staff have been retrained to carry out alternative methods of restraint that are safer and more proportionate. Because of the training that they have received, staff have updated their knowledge and refreshed their skills. The training promotes a positive approach to behaviour management and, when restraint is used, the emphasis is on ‘minimum force and maximum care’.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation has adopted a ‘lessons learned’ approach to all incidents of restraint. This involves an experienced residential manager coming to the home to review the incidents that take place. This enables staff to reflect and for young people’s views to be considered, the quality of records to be evaluated and the areas for improvement to be identified. This ensures that incidents of restraint are carefully monitored and that they are necessary, proportionate and safe. Critical evaluation of restraint practice protects young people from harm.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have received guidance through training and staff meetings about recording. As a result, the key messages about being factual, concise, accurate and transparent when recording have been conveyed to staff. Further training is scheduled for January 2017 to continue to help staff to develop their skills. When young people have raised concerns about restraint, managers have reviewed records and cross-referenced to the evidence to satisfy themselves that what happened was consistent with what was recorded, and that the actions taken were reasonable, necessary and proportionate. Improved recording and monitoring safeguard both young people and staff.

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This monitoring visit

Positive steps have been taken so that staff understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to reporting safeguarding concerns. Training, group and individual supervision, written guidance and clear information for staff about how to escalate concerns have improved their knowledge and understanding. Staff report that the new temporary manager and senior managers are approachable and responsive. They say that this enables them to raise issues and concerns, confident in the knowledge that they will be listened to. Better reporting systems and open channels of communication improve the safety and welfare of young people. Ofsted is satisfied that sufficient measures have been taken to address the shortfalls identified at the full inspection around reporting safeguarding concerns, restraint practice and recording. No further enforcement action is being taken following this monitoring inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is registered to provide care and accommodation for seven children with learning difficulties, as well as children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is operated by a private provider.

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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. out 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

to 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

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

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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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