Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2496627 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private organisation and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager was registered in August 2019 and is appropriately qualified.

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Judgement at last inspection: good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are happy and progressing well in this home. The staff team provides nurturing, effective, individualised care that has helped the children to settle quickly into the routines in the home. The children are engaging well in the education provided on-site and attendance is high. The children also benefit from the organisation’s therapeutic team, which is based on-site and delivers therapy in the school and in the home. For some children, this is the first time they have effectively engaged in this work.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The atmosphere in the home is relaxed and comfortable, with lots of decorations and toys ready for the Christmas period. However, the open plan living room and kitchen is the only communal area. This means that any need for private time Inspection report children’s home: 2496627 2 happens away from the home or in a child’s bedroom. If this is related to behaviour management, then the children lose the feeling of a safe space.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager of the home drives the improvements forward. She is warm, approachable and supportive of her team. She challenges appropriately, and staff stated they felt well supported and valued. This contributes to the relaxed atmosphere and the sense that this is a family-type home. Parents were positive about their children living at the home and felt this was the place they had made the most progress. This helps children and families to readily engage in the work needed to address their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Care plans and records show input into the day-to-day and longer-term decision- making by children, helping them to feel valued. The records are comprehensive and detailed. However, the content does not always use clear language to explain the presenting behaviour and generic phrases are used rather than facts. This means that monitoring the effectiveness of practice is sometimes hindered.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Induction and training for staff are comprehensive and well recorded. However, only a small number of the staff team members have had specific training in addressing self-harm behaviours in children. As this behaviour is well documented in records, a requirement has been made to ensure that the staff are knowledgeable and skilled in dealing with this presenting behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Complaints by children are well recorded and the manager responds quickly, ensuring that she records the actions taken in response and whether the child is happy with the outcome or not. However, other than an independent person, who visits monthly, children do not have the means to make a complaint unless they approach a member of staff or the manager directly.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2496627 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, the 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(2)(c)) Specifically, ensure that all staff are trained in addressing the needs of children who have self-harming behaviours. 17/01/2020

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Recommendations

 Care which meets each child’s needs and promotes their welfare, taking into account of the child’s gender, religion, ethnicity, cultural and linguistic background, sexual identity, mental health, any disability, their assessed needs, previous experiences and any relevant plans. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.2) In particular, ensure that there is adequate space to enable planned work to take place in private.  Staff should encourage children to share any concerns about their care or other matters as soon as they arise. Children must be able to take up issues or make a complaint with support and without any fear that this will result in any adverse consequences. Regulation 39 sets out the requirements on the registered person to have a complaints procedure. Children must be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including

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Recommendations

the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.13)  Staff should be familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information Inspection report children’s home: 2496627 4 about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, care plans need to be clear about the needs of children and how the home will meet these and recording should be factual.

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Information about this inspection

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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2496627 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Marcia McLoughlin

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Inspectors

Susan Atkinson-Millmoor, regulatory inspection manager Cath Heron, social care inspector (shadow) Inspection report children’s home: 2496627 6 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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