Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

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

Young people are happy and relaxed in their home. They enjoy strong relationships with the manager and staff and are confident that they care a great deal for them. It was notable how the majority of young people immediately sought out the company of the manager when returning from school, keen to share their experiences and talk about what was going on in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to benefit from a high standard of care and support that is delivered by an experienced and competent staff team. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of each young person’s individual needs and provide them with individually tailored care packages. The effectiveness of this support is evident in how settled the majority of the young people are and in the good progress that they make. This includes better managing their emotions, keeping healthy, attending school, and making improved choices about keeping themselves safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been minimal changes to the group since the last inspection, with only one young person leaving the home after over two years of living there. Although this was a placement breakdown, the home did take robust action in an attempt to prevent serious disruption to the other young people. During this time, staff did not lose sight of their commitment to the young person and made every effort to help them make a positive transition to a more age-appropriate placement.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been two allegations and two safeguarding referrals since the last inspection. Records confirm that these have and continue to be managed effectively. This includes the referral to, and involvement of the relevant safeguarding agencies and professionals, as well as introducing protective measures in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s individual risks are known by staff and are well managed. For example, there are robust strategies in place for the supervision and support of young people who are at risk of self-harm. These strategies are influenced by the organisation’s therapy department and professionals from the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), who offer guidance for staff and direct support to young people. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities in keeping young people safe. They know young people well and take swift action to share and report concerns. For example, when concerns around social media emerged for one young person, they quickly introduced in-house procedures to ensure that future risk was mitigated. They shared information with the police and continue to work with them in pursuit of their ongoing investigation. In addition, staff have undertaken direct work with young people and completed some training in this area. The manager

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

recognises the significance of this issue for staff and young people and is in the process of sourcing more comprehensive training that can be delivered to both.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been 11 reported incidents of going missing since December 2016. A number of these have been for significant periods of time. In these cases, the manager has ensured that multi-agency planning meetings are convened and strategies for future management of incidents agreed. In all cases, staff have worked closely with parents and professionals in their efforts to manage this type of behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from a well-established daily routine which promotes education during the day and constructive activities during the evenings, weekends and holidays. Good behaviour is reinforced through recognition, praise and individual rewards. Staff encourage young people to take responsibility for themselves, which increasingly some do. For example, a number of young people have earned the trust of staff and are spending increasing amounts of unsupervised time doing activities with their friends in the local community and nearby towns.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All staff are trained in the use of physical restraint, which is only used when all other efforts have failed. Detailed records are maintained and the manager maintains good oversight of these, showing a good understanding of the patterns and trends.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is run by a passionate and hands-on manager who drives a child- focused approach to caring for young people. She has a good understanding of what the home does well and a detailed insight into each young person’s care plan. She uses a range of quality assurance processes to monitor and improve the home’s performance, including external scrutiny by an independent visitor who visits monthly. Shortfalls are addressed in a timely manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Suitable action has been taken to address the two recommendations from the previous inspection. The process for challenging the underperformance of external agencies has been strengthened. The concerns noted at the last inspection have been addressed through appropriate challenge and escalation. This procedure could be further strengthened by introducing a policy that denotes timescales for escalation when presenting challenge. Necessary improvements to the environment have been made. The missing window blinds in one young person’s bedroom have been replaced and the problem of damp in one of the en-suite shower rooms has been resolved.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A number of shortfalls were found relating to young people’s case records and risk assessments. For example, one young person’s contact plan had not been amended to reflect the change in location of supervised contact. Also, risk management plans pertaining to episodes of going missing from care are not sufficiently individualised. For example, they do not specify timescales for reporting the young person to the police and in some cases do not consider recent incidents of this type. This has the potential to result in an inconsistent approach to the management of episodes of going missing from care. Positively, these shortfalls have not had a direct impact on the care of young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This is one of several children’s homes run by a private provider. It is registered for up to eight young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Young people placed at this home can access the organisation’s registered school and therapeutic services.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/12/2016 Full Outstanding 07/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/12/2015 Full Good 20/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which 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

The registered person must maintain records (‘case records’) for each child, which are kept up to date. (Regulation 36(1)(b)) 13/04/2017

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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: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the 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

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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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