Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Bradford

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244280 1

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Witherslack Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The purpose of the home is to provide a therapeutically managed facility to meet the nurturing, management, social, emotional and moral needs of up to seven children and young people aged eight to 18, irrespective of gender, who are unable to live in a family context. The therapeutic rationale and practice in the home are fundamentally based upon attachment principles combined with a variety of environmental and supportive strategies.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager of the home registered with Ofsted in March 2018. She is experienced in providing residential care for children and has an appropriate level 5 qualification in leadership and management of residential settings.

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This monitoring visit

At the inspection on 27 November 2018, the home was judged inadequate. There were a number of significant breaches of regulation. These included deficiencies in the assessment and management of risk, the monitoring and evaluation of incidents and care planning processes on admission. This placed children and young people at risk of harm.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, three regulatory requirements were made and were the subject of compliance notices that were served on the provider relating to Regulations 12, 13 and 14 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. A restriction of accommodation notice was also served to prevent the further admission of children and young people to the home.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out to establish whether the provider has complied with the restriction of accommodation notice and to inspect the progress made in relation to the compliance notices. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244280 2 The level of presenting risk identified at the full inspection has reduced. One young person has left the home. There have been no reported incidents of sexualised behaviour or contact since the last inspection. All children and young people are engaged in direct work to enhance their understanding of healthy relationships. A group meeting has taken place where the staff asserted appropriate boundaries and expectations of how children and young people behave in the home.

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This monitoring visit

A revised supervision plan is in place for the staff team to follow to ensure that children and young people are unable to enter others’ bedrooms. Staff have had policies and procedures refreshed and have read and signed the new risk management plan. Further training is planned to enhance the staff teams understanding of sexually harmful behaviour for those who have not already completed this training.

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This monitoring visit

There is a revised process for admission and assessment of risk and impact to other children and young people. This includes a commitment from the provider to address any identified vulnerabilities at the point of placement. Leaders have refreshed their expectations of staff in terms of record-keeping practice, to enable efficient monitoring and evaluation of any incidents of sexualised behaviour. The registered manager has completed an updated quality of care review. Leaders have also completed a review of the compatibility of the remaining residents at the home. The review concluded that the provider feels able to safely accommodate the remaining group of children’s and young people’s needs and risks.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has taken appropriate action to mitigate risks to the safety and well- being of children and young people from inappropriate sexualised behaviour and contact at the home. The compliance notices that were served in relation to Regulations 12, 13 and 14 have been met. The provider has adhered to the restriction of accommodation notice. The restriction of accommodation was formally rescinded on 4 January 2019.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/11/2018 Full Inadequate 17/07/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/04/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244280 3

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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.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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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

Nicola Thomas, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244280 4 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, 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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