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 outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

None of the young people who were living here at the last inspection have moved on. The consistency and stability which the young people experience has enabled them to consolidate the progress that they are making and achieve good outcomes. The young people said that they enjoy their time here and get on well with the staff. All of them are fully engaged in education and on track to realise their academic potential. This is supported by the staff in the home. For example, staff encourage one young person to practise their reading during the evening, giving them confidence in their increasing ability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Some of the young people undertake work experience as part of their school day and also at weekends. They receive financial reward for this, and the money is paid into ISA savings accounts which they will receive at age 18. This is an excellent initiative, as it provides not only an incentive to maintain this work but also teaches life lessons about the value of saving and having something to look forward to. It also increases the young people’s confidence and self-esteem in making new social relationships and building their skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work well with other professionals to ensure that the support they provide to the young people is as effective as possible. Regular meetings with the on-site education and therapy professionals enable the young people’s plans to be tailored to their needs and applied consistently. These include behaviour management plans, which focus on the underlying issues that the young people may have and ways in which their anxieties can be reduced. For example, one young person has recently commenced a programme of work with the therapist on anger management.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This thoughtful approach to the management of challenging behaviour has resulted in a generally downward trend in the need to use physical restraint. Additionally, the provider has made the decision to cease the use of certain types of restraint, reducing the inadvertent risk of injury to the young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people continue to enjoy a wide range of activities. Many of these take place in the community, which ensures that the young people are not isolated from the wider society. Some of the young people attend sports clubs, for example to do Thai boxing, or attend a trampolining centre. Others pursue more cultural interests. One is a member of a prestigious local theatre group, an activity which enhances their self-worth and confidence in their own abilities.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has an excellent knowledge of all of the young people’s needs and how best to meet them. He monitors the home’s performance on a regular basis, making use of consultation with other professionals. This process is being improved, to make the information provided by social workers and others more meaningful and relevant. Key workers are responsible for providing monthly reports on the young people. The final section of each report is titled ‘My milestones and achievements’. This provides a positive note on which to end each report, and enables not only the young person but also staff, parents and social worker to celebrate achievement, no matter how small. For example, one such report says: ‘The young person has spent time interacting with staff and peers on long walks down the river…they have enjoyed positive family contact…they have just attended their first dental appointment without their gran and had two fillings.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The one recommendation made at the last inspection has been fully addressed. Risk assessments are now clearer, and any changes are communicated to staff more promptly. This improvement contributes to the home’s effectiveness in keeping young people safe. The incidence of young people going missing is low. Any concerns expressed by the young people are taken seriously, notified to the appropriate agencies, and thoroughly investigated. The young people cooperate with staff in keeping themselves safe, for example by allowing staff to monitor their social media activity.

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides accommodation for up to eight children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 13/10/2016 Full Outstanding 23/02/2016 Full Good 21/07/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 19/01/2015 Full Adequate

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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 that 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 whom 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:. 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 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

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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