Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Sefton

Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 1 SC475689 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to six young people who have learning disabilities.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

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

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Improved effectiveness

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Key findings from this inspection

This children’s home is good because:  Young people are making good progress in school, health, their social development and independence.  Excellent attention to detail has allowed a young person to travel abroad Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 2 independently and safely.  The home has close working partnerships with a variety of professionals. This means that young people receive individualised care.  Behaviour management strategies are effective because they are underpinned by research and delivered by therapists.  Thoughtful, in-depth and excellent planning has meant that young people have moved into semi-independence successfully.  The registered manager is very experienced and qualified. There is a long- standing core group of staff. This means that young people are cared for by a staff team that knows them very well.  Parents and professionals are extremely complimentary about the care that

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Key findings from this inspection

The children’s home’s areas for development  Records of restraint are not always clear. This means that some recordings do not show that a young person was held as a last resort.  Members of staff have not been supported fully in their roles. This is because their supervision has not been regular and mandatory training has not been refreshed within timescales.  One young person’s local authority documents have not been signed by the manager, parent and social worker. This does not ensure that everyone is in agreement with the plan. Similarly, members of staff who have not attended a staff meeting do not sign to say that they have read the minutes from the meeting.  Regulation 44 reports are not evaluative. Therefore, they have not identified some of the shortfalls raised from this inspection.  Although there is a plan for maintenance, repair and decoration of the home, broken items and waste materials are not moved or disposed of quickly.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/08/2016 Full Outstanding 24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 23/09/2015 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

6. The quality and purpose of care standard

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that care is delivered by a person who has the experience, knowledge and skills to deliver that care. (Regulation 6(1) and (3)(c)(i)) 30/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

35. Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This is in relation to ensuring that the record gives a clear and true reflection and that the registered person has challenged any information that may indicate that the measure was used as a form of compliance. 30/11/2017

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees receive practice-related supervision. (Regulation 33(4)(b)) 30/11/2017

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Recommendations

 Ensure that the independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements. This is specifically in relation to evaluating the quality of the records maintained by the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 4 regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)  Ensure that case records are signed and dated by the author of each entry. This includes ensuring that the manager, professionals and parents have signed essential documentation. This also includes staff signing the staff meeting minutes. (‘Guide to the children’s home’s regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)  Ensure that the home is a homely, domestic environment. This is specifically in relation to ensuring that broken items are removed and that general cleaning is completed. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides care to young people who have autism or associated conditions such as Asperger’s. All of the young people have verbal communication but at different levels, and they have different thought processes. For example, one young person needs information or questions to be short. Then he needs time to process the information. He becomes unhappy if the question is repeated or if he is interrupted. Members of staff understand this and inform visitors, professionals and young people prior to meeting him. This means that the young person is fully included in discussions about his care and in daily life. The inspector spoke and interacted with four young people on this inspection. They all said that they were happy and safe, and that members of staff were great. One young person said, ‘I am only doing so well because staff believe in me.’ Another said, ‘Staff always listen, help me and give me time.’ This was reflected in comments from parents

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

and professionals. A parent said, ‘He has done so well here and that is down to the care he receives.’ A professional said, ‘I would quite happily place all my young people here, if I could.’ Young people have been living at this home for a significant period of time. There have been no new young people placed here since the last inspection. The manager is currently assessing a new referral. Prior to coming to the home, the manager fully assesses the needs of the young person to ensure they can be met by the home. The manager also arranges meetings with the allocated social worker, parents and health professionals, and has direct discussions with schools or education settings and other care services. This ensures that all required information can be obtained. In addition, staff members visit the young person in their previous placement and at school. Young people also visit the home before moving in, including tea visits and overnight stays. The

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

arrangements in place ensure that young people are suitably placed and that members of staff know and understand the young person’s vulnerabilities and care needs. Therefore, young people do not experience placement breakdowns. The home has all the necessary local authority documentation for the young people in order to care for them well. However, one young person’s documentation has not been signed by the manager, parent or social worker. This does not ensure that all parties are Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 5 in agreement with the plan. In contrast to this, the home is excellent at ensuring that reviews take place and that regular meetings are completed if any issue becomes a concern. The home keeps parents and professionals updated through regular telephone calls and a monthly report. A professional said, ‘The monthly reports are spot on. They tell the story of [Name of young person] and they are not just data. They are the best

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

quality I have seen.’ As a result, parents and professionals have an understanding of the progress young people make. All of the young people attend the company’s school. Each young person receives individual support and a curriculum that is specifically designed to meet their educational needs. Young people have excellent attendance and they are making good progress. One young person said, ‘I am worried about next year because it is exam year. But the manager has already assured me that she will help in whatever way she can. They are going to get me extra revision books and a tutor if I need it. So I am not as anxious.’ The home works closely with the school so that any changes in routines or behaviour management for young people are shared. Young people have ambitions for their future. One young person wants to be a mechanic and another wants to be a gardener. The home and school identify colleges, work placements and voluntary opportunities to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

support young people in their aspirations. For example, one young person who has recently left the home is following her dream to work with children. She is completing an apprenticeship at college that includes a work placement at a nursery. All of the young people are in good health. Members of staff are trained in administering medication. This means that young people receive their medication in line with their prescription. Most of the staff have a first aid qualification, but some qualifications are out of date. This does not ensure that all members of staff are aware of any changes made through legislation or changing practice. Although this has not impacted on the care that young people receive, it has the potential to do so. Members of staff show respect, privacy and dignity to young people who require help with their personal care. Young people are prompted and encouraged to wash, shower and take pride in their

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

appearance. As a result, some young people now do this independently or need less supervision. Other young people enjoy buying and having new clothes. This helps to build their confidence and self-esteem. The home works closely with a number of therapists. Young people receive weekly one- to-one sessions. The type of therapy and the reasons for it are clearly recorded in the young person’s health plan. For example, one young person is using a drum set to release his anger and is putting his thoughts into words and songs. A member of staff said this has given him a way to get his frustrations out. Therapists attend staff meetings to assist members of staff to understand the aim, progress and how they can help. They also write a report that highlights the progress and next steps for the young person. This means that members of staff can mirror approaches successfully. Young people enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences. One young person wants

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

to be a gardener. He looks after the home and school gardens, and has recently rented an allotment and started to plan the area. This supports his ambition and gives him practical experience. Other young people like to go on walks, swimming, play football, go to the cinema or spend time with friends in the local community. Another young person likes visiting museums, history enactments and stately homes. Young people have been given opportunities to attend community group-based activities. For example, Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 6 some young people tried local groups such as scouts and youth clubs, but have decided not to keep this up. This shows that young people are supported and encouraged to experience things they are interested in, but also that they can stop something if they feel it is not for them. Young people have not made any complaints. They said that they were confident to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

raise a concern and that members of staff would take it seriously. Young people were able to identify several independent people they could contact if necessary. This included Ofsted, the independent visitor and their social workers. All of the young people said that they could talk openly and honestly with any member of staff. The young people have different arrangements for seeing their parents. Some see their parents weekly, while others see them in the school holidays. These details are highlighted within their placement plans, which means that staff know the arrangements and can prepare young people well for their visits. Any restrictions relating to unsuitable adults are clearly identified, with actions for staff to take. The home works closely with parents. Some young people who had little or no contact with their parents early in their placement now have regular contact because of their improving behaviour and the

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

relationship that staff have made with their parents. Last year, one young person made contact with his father, who lives abroad. Their relationship has progressed and the local authority has applied for the young person’s care order to be discharged. The young person has travelled abroad independently to see his father, and is currently spending the summer holidays with him. This was made possible because the home put a comprehensive plan together and were meticulous in exploring every eventuality. For example, the young person had an identity badge and flash cards to show cabin crew if he was getting anxious or needed anything. Points of contact were identified for progression on the journey. Staff talked over possible scenarios with the young person repeatedly, such as getting lost, to enable him to take appropriate action if necessary. Pharmacies abroad were contacted so the young person could get a repeat prescription of his medication. The young person’s social worker said,

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

‘The attention to the smallest detail made this a success. They went through scenarios with him, like what if he got upset on the plane or got lost. They could have taken him to the airport by car as this was the quickest route, but understood that he would be sitting in the car and then on a plane for nine hours. So they went by train, so he could walk around.’ As a result, the young person arrived safely and is enjoying his time with his father. An outstanding area is how young people are supported to move on to semi- independence. Transition plans start early and young people and their parents are involved every step of the way. One young person is due to move on to semi- independence soon. The manager looked at the approved list of residential colleges in the local area, and identified five. The young person then looked at their websites to see what they offered. Members of staff and his mother visited these colleges first and took

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

photographs for the young person. The five choices were then whittled down to three. The young person visited these colleges and has chosen one. This means that the young person was able to make an informed choice. Another young person has recently left the home. She has remained in the local area and is doing well. The home assisted her to get onto the property pool and when this was unsuccessful they contacted a specialised provision. She is now receiving long-arm support from members of staff from the home Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 7 and has a package of support for the next six months from the specialised provision. If this goes well, the tenancy will be signed over to her. Prior to moving, the staff team ensured that she had a provisional driving licence, passport and bank account. Having completed some voluntary work at the company’s school and some mock interviews with the home’s manager, she secured a college place and apprenticeship. She prepared to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

move by purchasing household items and by discussing expectations, such as paying bills and making homemade meals. A social worker said, ‘This home prepares young people really well. In most children’s homes that I know, members of staff do far more than they should for young people, which limits their independence. At this home they do things with them not for them. That makes all the difference.’ Young people live in a large home that provides plenty of space and shows the individual personalities of each young person. Young people display certificates of achievements and photographs around the home. This gives them a sense of belonging. Some areas of the home require updating or redecorating. The manager has an improvement plan, and contractors and decorators are due to complete the work when the young people have returned to school. This will ensure that their routine is not disturbed while work is being

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

completed. However, staff do not routinely keep the home clean, tidy and safe. For example, a broken picture frame has not been removed from the lounge, a number of empty toilet rolls are left on the bathroom floor and clothing has not been removed. This does not ensure that young people live in a homely environment.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Young people said that they were safe and happy at this home. They reported that members of staff were fun, approachable and fair. Young people were able to reflect on their previous negative behaviours and how members of staff have helped them to change. Several young people discussed the implementation of a mood chart and how this has significantly helped them. Members of staff work closely with the young people in identifying their feelings. Young people have pictorial charts that show what their feelings look like, including a picture to convey how they feel, what colour their feelings represent, what behaviour they represent and how staff can help. For example, one young person expresses anger with an explosion, that is black, can cause damage if in this mood and that staff need to keep him safe. Another young person said, ‘I can now differentiate between being angry, sad, frustrated or disappointed. I have learned that

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

the best way is to walk away and have time to think.’ He continued to say, ‘I have improved so much because of this. I have made friends in the community and I go home a lot more and see my family.’ The success of this system can clearly be seen in the reduction of restraints, sanctions and incidents in the home. Young people have not been reported missing from this home. Good risk assessments show the young people’s vulnerabilities if they were missing. They clearly identify the level of risk, action for staff to take and who should be contacted, if an incident was to occur. Similarly, there have been no incidents to report to safeguarding professionals. The local community police officer calls at the home monthly, to check whether the home needs anything and to maintain positive relationships. Due to this good relationship, the home can contact him directly to discuss any issues they have or for advice.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been a significant reduction in restraints. However, the home’s recordings do Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 8 not always clearly identify why a restraint was necessary. For example, one restraint record says that the young person went to kick a box of toys and was held. Another says that a young person went to throw a compact disc and was held. Another says that a young person was demanding his tea and threw himself on the floor. The record continues to say that he was taken into the lounge in a two-person hold. The manager agreed with the inspector that the current recordings could be open to challenge or interpretation. For example, they could be viewed as a compliance issue or unnecessary use of restraint. However, she was very confident that this was a recording problem, because she was aware of each individual incident. Although she had read and recorded her evaluation of each incident, she had not challenged the information. This does not

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

ensure that young people are held as a last resort, for their or others safety. The home monitors and reviews young people’s risk-taking behaviour effectively. Good risk assessments show the history, level of risk, and the strategies and actions for staff to take. These are also shared and discussed with school every half term. These meetings enable both settings to have a greater holistic insight into the young person, and give the opportunity for effective practice to be shared. When young people’s behaviour has been a concern, the manager has called on other professionals for more insight into the behaviour. For example, the behaviour inclusion team completed a functional behaviour assessment for a young person. As a result, additional staff training was identified and completed, which gave staff the opportunity to explore varied approaches to respond to the young person’s challenging behaviour. The young person

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

responded well to the support, and while there have been several incidents, they have been relatively minor. The variations in support allowed the young person’s placement to continue to a natural end. Young people said that sanctions for unacceptable behaviour were rare but when imposed were fair. One young person said, ‘I have had to replace something I broke but this is right because it was not mine.’ As a result, young people said that they were learning to respect each other and their home. The home encourages good behaviour through reward schemes and recognition of achievements. The manager said that most of the young people enjoyed receiving extra money. One young person proudly showed the inspector his new trainers and top. He said he had earned additional money for having a settled week. Young people are cared for by a stable core staff team. There have been four new staff since the home’s last inspection. The company follows the safer recruitment guidance.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

For example, it checks any gaps in employment history and verifies references. New staff complete an induction period, complete all mandatory training and have to pass a six- month probationary period. This means that, as far as possible, young people are cared for by members of staff who are supported well in their role. Members of staff prepare and cook meals for young people. They are also responsible for the general health and safety of young people in the home. However, some members of staff have not had refresher training in food hygiene and health and safety. This does not ensure that members of staff are aware of any changes in legislation or care practice. This does not fully safeguard young people. In contrast, priority is given to training around child sexual exploitation, safeguarding, restraint and positive behaviour management techniques. This means that the staff are confident they can care for

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 9 young people well. All appliances and insurance certificates are updated regularly. Members of staff, young people and visitors are taken through the fire evacuation procedure. This ensures that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager was registered with Ofsted in March 2014. She started her career as a residential carer and has 24 years’ experience of working with young people. She has held several deputy and management posts, is a qualified social worker and has a management award. She is supported in her role by a qualified deputy manager and two team leaders. There is a stable core team of 11 members of staff, who have been working at the home for several years. All members of staff describe the manager as fair, supportive and approachable. A new member of staff said, ‘Her approach is very child-focused and I feel blessed to be working here.’ The home’s statement of purpose reflects the ethos of the home. It has all the necessary information for other services and local authorities to make an informed decision on whether the home can meet the needs of a young person. Professionals confirmed that they had received the statement of purpose. They said that the home works with them

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

collaboratively, and that communication from the home is excellent. Most of the staff team have a suitable childcare qualification. The new members of staff have been registered on an equivalent qualification and are at varying stages of completion. When members of staff start their induction they complete all mandatory training. New members of staff have received fortnightly supervision to ensure that they are supported while learning in their role. However, permanent members of staff have gone without supervision for a significant period of time. These shortfalls do not show that all members of staff are fully supported in their role. Staff meetings are regular. Young people’s progress, the development of the home and the company’s policies are covered in these meetings. In addition to this, the manager often discusses different research or legislation changes with the staff team. As a young person’s care order is about to be discharged, the manager has discussed care orders

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

and different sections of the Children’s Act 1989 with the staff team. This means that members of staff understand their roles and responsibilities and the local authorities’ delegated duties. However, when staff are absent from the staff meetings they do not routinely sign to say they have read the minutes of the meeting. The manager said they are sent an email of the topics discussed, but it is not clear whether these are read. This does not ensure that all staff members are aware of any changes. The home strives to improve and develop. For example, resilience web and social development profiles have been introduced recently. These are electronic tools that demonstrate a ‘point in time’ snapshot of the young people’s abilities. These will be completed three times a year and will identify progress or areas for improvement. Young people were instrumental in putting together a PowerPoint presentation on how

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

inspectors could interact with them better when on inspection. Their suggestions included, for example, not wearing bright, striped or spotty clothing or strong fragrances as these can give them sensory overload; giving them space; finding out their specific communication preference before speaking with them; giving them time to process Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 10 information; and asking before touching them. The manager delivered this to the North West teams. Inspectors said that the presentation was insightful, helped them with planning for specialised services and gave them a clearer picture on how to engage with young people well. The home has recently identified that regulation 44 visits and reports were not effective, because they did not help the manager to identify issues for improvement or development. For example, they did not evaluate the quality of the recordings of restraints. A new service has been identified to carry out these visits. The manager

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

completes a six-monthly report about the service. It is detailed and she has identified areas for improvement and actions for the forthcoming months, such as having a supervision plan and a contingency plan if she or a member of staff is not available. These good practices show that the home is striving to improve.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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.’ Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Witherslack Group, Lupton Tower, Lupton, Carnforth LA6 2PR

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Inspector

Pam Nuckley, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 12 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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