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 several 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 remote visit was conducted to monitor the home’s compliance with a compliance notice issued by Ofsted on 24 February 2021. The concern was that managers were not confident or sufficiently knowledgeable in the process for managing allegations to ensure children’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

In response, managers have participated in further training organised by the provider to ensure that they have the required knowledge and understanding of the process, company procedures, management of allegations and the rationale for information-sharing with partners in relation to staff allegations. The home has also extended this to staff, providing a three-day workshop to improve their skills in the reporting and recording of allegations.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have also conducted a safeguarding audit at this home to review the overall quality of safeguarding and decision-making. This has been a supportive review that has included the registered manager and his peers to ensure consistency of safeguarding decisions and compliance with the home’s internal policies and procedures. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 1254258 2 Since the last monitoring visit on 11 February 2021, managers have received a further allegation made by the same child. In managing this, safeguarding procedures were appropriately followed, including notification to the local authority designated officer (DO) and Ofsted. The child’s safety plan, which had been agreed between the registered manager and the child’s social worker, was appropriately followed and documented. Lessons learned from this incident and the previous incident have been shared internally, as well as with the DO, to promote managers’

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This monitoring visit

Senior managers have also met with the DOs to share their understanding of good practice and to clarify the consistent approach that will be followed by all the provider’s homes in Cumbria. Managers have shown commitment to working together and communicating more regularly with the DOs. The responsible individual has committed to being more present in the home in the coming months to mentor and support managers.

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This monitoring visit

From the documented evidence reviewed and discussions with the provider and Cumbria DOs, Ofsted is satisfied that the home has met and is compliant with the notice issued.

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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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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: Lupton Tower, Lupton, Carnforth LA6 2PR

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Inspector

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