Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Sefton

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

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private company owns the home. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for six young people who have learning disabilities. The registered manager has been in post since January 2014.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/08/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 09/08/2016 Full Outstanding 24/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Young people are at the centre of the care that they receive in this home. Bespoke packages of care, which include personal care, education, healthcare, therapy, and activities, mean that each young person is thriving. A social worker described the home as ‘top notch’. She said, ‘I need to bring this young person back into his local authority area. However, it is really difficult to find a home that even remotely matches this home.’ The bespoke packages of care start at the point of referral. The manager meticulously scrutinises all referrals to make sure that the home can meet the young person’s needs and that they are compatible with the other young people living in the home. The manager and staff visit all young people who may move into the home. They also meet with the parents and linked professionals. As a result, transitions into the home are exceptionally well planned and managed and placements are not made unless they are a

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

very good match. For example, a parent said, ‘The whole process was a wonderful experience and I am convinced that is why he has settled so well.’ Another parent said, ‘Even the manager from his old home said that she had never experienced such an excellent transition for a young person before.’ The young people have a wide range of communication skills, levels of comprehension and complexity of needs. The young people thrive, at their own pace, with support from staff who have an incredibly thorough knowledge and understanding of the wide range of each young person’s needs. This is clear in their progress. For example, when one young person came to the home he was not expected to gain any formal educational qualifications. Through his hard work and the attentive support and encouragement of the staff, he has recently achieved a C grade in science and now aspires to achieve good results in English and mathematics. Another young person had poor personal care skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

He can now shower and dress independently. All the young people have excellent attendance at school. Teachers, psychologists, speech and language therapists, parents, staff, and other professionals meet regularly to make sure that the young people’s education plans and health plans are followed meticulously. This means that each setting mirrors the other and there is clarity about the objectives that the professionals are all working towards with young people. For example, one young person is learning his alphabet in school. To promote his learning further, staff at the home have creatively use a sequined cushion that allows the young person to use his fingers to draw out letters on the cushion. This is working extremely well. Young people are supported to develop aspirations for their futures. One young person said, ‘I want to be a mechanic and I am working hard towards this. I got driving lessons for my birthday from the manager and staff. I think this was great because it

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

links in with my ambition and being able to drive will give me more independence.’ Contact arrangements are complex, and staff work flexibly to support and facilitate these arrangements. The manager makes sure that additional staff are available, that transport is arranged, and that young people are prepared emotionally and practically for these important visits. For example, the staff are fully aware that one young person needs to know of any changes several days before an event, and they ensure that, Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 4 where possible, he has this knowledge so that he can process the information. Another young person is going home overnight as a trial run in preparation for Christmas. Social workers and parents commended the home on their commitment to the young people. Young people’s inclusion in community life is outstanding. Young people enjoy an excellent range of well-considered activities and experiences, which are thoroughly risk

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

assessed in line with their individual plans. Activities follow the interests of the young people as well as developing their self-confidence. For example, one young person has a weekend job at a local store. Another young person attended a pop concert and other young people go to the gym, swimming and attend local attractions. In addition to this, some of the young people have made friends in the community. Young people’s friends are warmly welcomed into the home and they regularly go out together on activities. The manager and staff know that any changes for the young people can be difficult. Therefore, sensitive and careful planning for transition into adult services is done over long periods of time. The home’s manager and staff work with the young person, their parents, and professionals to find potential services and to visit them. One young person visited three places before everyone agreed which service offered a more comprehensive

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

package of care. Following this decision, as part of his transition, the young person visited the new home several times and the staff from the new home also visited him. As a result, the move went smoothly. His parents say that he has settled well, and the young person is still in touch with the staff.

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

Young people said that they feel safe and are safe in this home. This is because staff have an excellent understanding of the home’s child protection and safeguarding procedures. The staff act quickly and effectively to any emerging concerns. Comprehensive records are kept and monitored about all aspects of safety and protection; these include detailed risk assessments. This attention to detail means that any issues are quickly identified and rectified. This means that young people can take safe and appropriate risks, for example going to the shop on their own or going out in the community with their friends. There has been one incident of a young person being reported missing from the home. Staff took swift action to report him to the police, searched the local community and contacted him on his mobile phone. This quick action meant that he returned to the home within an hour. A return home interview was completed the next day. Therefore,

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

staff were able to identify that on this occasion the young person was upset over a family matter. His risk assessment was updated, and further strategies were put in place to support the young person. In addition to this, the community police officer calls at the home periodically. He specifically meets with new young people and talks to all the young people. The manager shares the young people’s pen pictures with him. This means that the community police officer has detailed descriptions, a photograph, information on the young people’s communication skills, anxieties, known places that they visit and any medical needs of the young people. As a result, the police and others would be able to carry out a focused search and, importantly, would know how best to approach them. Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 5 The use of physical intervention is very rare. Three young people have been in the home

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

for several years. When they first came to the home, they were held regularly for their own or others’ protection. The same young people have not been restrained this year. This shows that the staff’s comprehensive understanding of the young people reduces their anxieties and that behaviour support plans are highly effective in addressing unacceptable behaviour. Parents and social workers say that this is a massive achievement for these young people. One parent said, ‘He is like a different child.’ The staff team works exceptionally well in partnership with other agencies. A social worker said, ‘Communication between us is brilliant. I have no concerns because I know that they would contact me straight away. I also get a detailed report every month. Therefore, I know how he is doing and he is doing great.’ Parents say that staff are always at the end of a telephone and nothing is too much trouble. Relationships between young people and staff are extremely strong. Positive comments

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

from parents, social workers, and the young people show how this helps them to progress. One young person used to want to visit healthcare services a lot because of his anxieties. He is now able to say, ‘It is just my anxiety. I do not need to go, do I?’ Another young person said, ‘I can talk to them about anything and I know they will either do the right thing or help me to do it.’ The appearance of the home has improved significantly. The home is very well maintained and has been refurbished throughout. The home is warm and offers a comfortable, family-style living environment. The staff make sure that young people’s bedrooms reflect the uniqueness of the young person. Some bedrooms are adorned with posters and photographs, while other young people prefer a minimalistic feel to their room. The staff are responsive to young people’s needs. For example, one young person kept ripping his carpet up. The staff worked with him around this. The young person

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

said that soft carpet tickled his feet and hard flooring hurt his feet. To overcome this issue, the staff sourced a range of flooring samples for the young person to try out. As a result, he was able to choose a flooring that he could walk on without discomfort. This example shows the attention to detail that staff pay to ensure that the right outcome is achieved. Another young person’s bedroom is being redecorated and furnished. He is moving to a cottage in the local area for three days while this work is being carried out. This means that he can continue to follow his routines, such as going to school without experiencing a level of disruption that he would struggle with. The young person said, ‘I would not be able to cope with people in my room and I would get anxious. I think this is a good plan.’ His social worker said, ‘They have really thought this out and it is a really good plan that will support him.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an inspirational and dynamic leader. She uses research and attends training to inform staff practice in the home. Her work has been published in several magazine articles. She is also due to speak at conferences about her approach to working with young people who have complex needs and the importance of understanding the fundamental aspects, traits, and personalities of each young person. She has worked with young people who have complex needs for many years. Young Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 6 people, parents and professionals speak very highly of her. The manager is supported extremely well by a deputy manager, team leaders, and senior residential staff. This means that there is a strong management structure that promotes the excellent outcomes for the young people. The enthusiasm of the management team is cascaded to all staff who are equally committed to improving outcomes for young people. Staff comments include: ‘We have one goal and to achieve

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

that we all work together,’ and ‘We are able to challenge each other, and we are given the opportunity to reflect on our practice.’ Parents and social workers also commented on the dedication and commitment of the staff team. One social worker said, ‘The stable staff team shows that the staff enjoy working here and that they get the right support and training. Therefore, my young person gets the support and attention from staff who know him well.’ Supervision and training records show that there are highly effective approaches to supporting staff practice. Members of staff talked about how regular supervision supports their development, how training gives them the skills that they need and how the manager continually gives them opportunities to progress. Ultimately, they said this then helps them to assist young people to develop and progress. One member of staff said that he had an opportunity to lead a shift. He said that he now understands the

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

complexities of organising contact or meetings and deploying staff to ensure that these went ahead. Another member of staff said, ‘Recent Foci training has helped me to be more observant to the small things about a young person’s behaviour that might indicate stress or anxiety.’ There is an excellent focus on continued staff development and training. Most of the staff hold a relevant childcare qualification at level 3. Four members of staff are working towards this. Six other members of staff have gone on to complete the level 4 award in caring for young people. The manager actively encourages and supports the staff to continue to learn new skills and develop their knowledge. In return, the staff demonstrate a real passion and commitment to improving the quality of care for the young people and have a pride in developing their career. The manager and staff work collaboratively with a wide range of agencies and

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

professionals who are involved in the young people’s care. When services have been slow or not available, the manager has challenged these shortfalls effectively. She and her staff are passionate advocates for young people. For example, one young person did not have an identified transitional social worker for his transition into adult services. There was an issue about which service his needs fell into and who would be responsible for his care. This meant that there was a risk of drift in the planning for the young person’s future. The manager challenged this and took this to the highest level. As a result, the young person now has a named person and the home can start work on preparing him to move on. Young people’s written records contain a very detailed picture of their history, experiences and progress. These records are regularly updated, signed by all parties, and discussed with the young people. These comprehensive records give an in-depth

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

insight and understanding of the young people’s lives and contribute to the planning for their futures. Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 7 External and internal monitoring of the home is outstanding. This means that shortfalls can be quickly found and rectified. For example, the independent person raised that fire records did not show the time the evacuation took place. The manager produced a new format that would capture this and discussed the importance of clear recording in a staff meeting.

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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 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

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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 regulatory inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC475689 9 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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