Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Oxfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244160 1

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Witherslack Group Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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This monitoring visit

This is one of several children’s homes operated by the Witherslack group. The staff provide care for up to eight children who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

The manager was registered by Ofsted in November 2018.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 09/10/2019 Full Good 11/12/2018 Full Good 14/12/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 03/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244160 2

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

No requirements or recommendations were made as a result of this inspection.

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What does the children’s home need to do to improve?

The requirements and recommendations made at the full inspection undertaken on 9 October 2019 and the monitoring visits conducted on 20 November 2019 and 16 December 2019 will be reviewed at the home’s next inspection.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit is to monitor the registered person’s compliance with a restriction of accommodation notice issued on 25 November 2019 and a compliance notice issued on 19 December 2019.

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Information about this inspection

Both notices were issued in relation to the provider’s lack of action to appropriately review what occurred during an incident which took place on 13 November 2019. During this incident, a child who lived at the home and a member of staff were assaulted and suffered injuries.

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Information about this inspection

The restriction notice was issued because Ofsted was concerned that if additional children were admitted to the home this would create further risk.

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Information about this inspection

A monitoring visit was undertaken on 16 December 2019. This was to review compliance with the restriction notice issued on 25 November 2019. At this inspection, the registered persons failed to demonstrate that they had taken the action necessary to address the shortfalls identified in the compliance notice. As a result, a further compliance notice was issued.

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the provider demonstrated that they had complied with the restriction of accommodation notice. No child had been admitted since this notice came into force on 25 November 2019.

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Information about this inspection

The provider also demonstrated that they have addressed the shortfalls that led to Ofsted issuing a compliance notice. A full review of the incident had taken place and a detailed action plan to improve practice was being implemented very swiftly. A new regional manager has been appointed from January 2020. She is supporting positive change, which is improving the level of care that children receive. The staff team members are engaging with the process of change well and are very positive about the support that they now receive from the managers.

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Information about this inspection

Leaders and managers identified that poor decision-making on the day of the incident led to staff not following guidance on how to manage serious incidents.

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Information about this inspection

Training and support for the manager and staff at the home has significantly improved. Management monitoring systems have improved, and staff now have a Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244160 3 clear understanding about how to meet children’s needs. The provider has also made improvements to the quality of care plans, risk assessments and case records. This has resulted in children’s needs being better identified and met, especially if additional services are required when risks increase.

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Information about this inspection

As a result of the action taken by the registered provider, the restriction notice and compliance notice were both lifted following this inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244160 4

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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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Inspector

Ruth Coler, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1244160 5 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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