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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC475680 1 SC475680

p.1

Witherslack Group Limited

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large national organisation. It provides care and accommodation for up to eight children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The manager registered with Ofsted in 2016.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out following the death of a child. The child became seriously ill, very suddenly, and sadly died while receiving medical treatment.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Staff took swift action when the child first started to display concerning symptoms, seeking medical attention in order to promote the child’s safety and welfare. Staff should be commended for the action that they took at this time, as well as the commitment and compassion that they showed to the child while he was receiving medical attention over a prolonged period of time.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Following the child’s death, staff planned the way in which they would tell the children living at the home about what had happened to the child in order to ensure that there was adequate support and comfort available for the children. The organisation also ensured that additional psychological support was in place for the children and staff and that this was in a variety of forms, depending on the needs and preferences of the individual.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Subsequently, children living at the home, staff and the family of the child have been provided with a good level of support to help them through the bereavement process in a variety of ways, depending on their preference. Children’s risk assessments have been updated to ensure that they receive the best support at this Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC475680 2 sad time and have been provided with a variety of things, such as football shirts, photographs and plants, to help them to hold positive memories of the child.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The management and staff team are a long-established group of staff and this has also been helpful in securing support to each other and children during this difficult time.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are also providing ongoing support for the child’s family. Staff, children and the child’s family have had conversations about their shared loss. Staff have produced photo albums for the family as a memory of the child’s time at the home. Staff are also meeting with the family on a regular basis as an opportunity to catch up with one another and to ensure that the family are receiving the ongoing help and support that they may need.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There are plans for the additional psychological support to remain in place in acknowledgement of the grieving process and the time that this may take for the child’s family, staff and friends.

p.2

This monitoring visit

No requirements were raised as a result of this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC475680 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/09/2019 Full Good 13/09/2018 Full Good 11/09/2017 Full Good 09/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC475680 4

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

p.4

Children’s home details

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

p.4

Inspector

Julia Toller, Regulatory Inspection Manager Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: SC475680 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.

p.4

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.5

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5