Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 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

This is one of a number of privately run children’s homes. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Children placed at this home can access the organisation’s registered school and therapeutic services.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered in February 2018 and holds a relevant diploma at level 5.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was triggered after an allegation had been made by a child living at the home. The designated officer for the area was consulted, who expressed concern that the home had not followed the correct procedure for managing and reporting the allegation.

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This monitoring visit

A child alleged that he had been harmed during a restrictive physical intervention. His placing authority was informed and reported that they were satisfied with the actions taken to immediately safeguard the child. The designated officer from Cumbria informed the manager to seek medical attention and alert other professional bodies. No medical attention or advice was sought, despite staff observing that a member of staff had fallen and landed on the child and that the child continued to complain of a stiff neck three days after the incident.

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This monitoring visit

During a discussion, the manager was uncertain and unclear about the procedure for managing allegations. He missed some key elements of the process, such as ensuring the immediate safety of the child. Furthermore, the manager informed the child’s social worker and Ofsted that the outcome of the incident would be some restorative work between the child and the member of staff. The outcome of Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 2 the investigation was pre-empted by the manager. This does not safeguard children effectively.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, a compliance notice has been served relating to the protection of children standards.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/01/2020 Full Outstanding 27/11/2018 Full Outstanding 05/12/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(v)(vii)(b)) 8 April 2021

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Requirement Due date

*This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

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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. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 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

Charlie Bamber, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 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 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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