Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The children’s home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children aged between 10 and 17. According to the home’s statement of purpose, it offers residential care with therapeutic emphasis and multi-agency involvement, to help children to recover from experiences which have rendered them vulnerable and disrupted their primary relationships.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 24 February 2021. This is the first full inspection of this home.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making good progress. The welcoming environment is homely and well maintained. The children have helped to personalise their bedrooms and other areas. This has provided a sense of belonging and security, as a result, children enjoy spending time in the home and with each other.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the children’s needs, including ethnicity and the diverse needs of the children. Children are supported by staff who are knowledgeable about their culture. One child has been supported by staff to attend a specialist hairdresser to help them become more independent. As a result, this child has increased confidence and can meet their own basic care needs with limited support from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a good understanding of each of the children’s likes and dislikes. Together, the children and staff design structured, well planned activities that children benefit from, such as bike rides. The children and staff share mealtimes together, which promotes a family environment. This means that children enjoy quality time with each other and staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have trusted adults that they can talk to about worries or concerns. The children’s guide provides the necessary information so children know how to complain or contact those who can offer support. A recent complaint was managed quickly and thoroughly by the manager. As a result, children know they are listened too and that their worries are acted on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All the children are attending education. Successful communication between school and staff promotes boundaries and routines. This offers stability and consistency in the care that the children receive. Children are actively encouraged and supported by staff to share their wishes and feelings. Specifically, children can contribute positively to their care planning.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff help children to understand risks and how to stay safe. Staff appreciate the need for children to take age-appropriate risks in order to become more independent. This means that older children now have time away from the home independently to see friends. Incidents of children going missing from this home are rare. Nonetheless, staff know the process for reporting any incidents to the relevant professionals and managers.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated by mangers and staff. Additional risk assessments, for example harming behaviour by children, ensure that Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 4 staff are well informed and able to recognise any emerging concerns. As a result, children are not exposed to potential harm from others, inside or out of the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There has been a significant reduction in the use of physical intervention by staff. Staff have a good understanding of the children’s behaviours and what triggers negative incidents. Staff use successful de-escalation techniques, and they access support from the clinical team. Therapists are available and offer reflective sessions with staff to assist in understanding behaviours and trauma-informed practice. As a result, children are thriving in a calm and happy environment.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When senior leaders become aware of allegations, these are thoroughly and promptly investigated. Necessary steps are taken to ensure children are safeguarded. Recording is detailed and concise. This means learning is well documented and shared with the whole staff team. Children are kept up to date throughout, which enables the restorative approach in rebuilding the relationship between children and staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a strong commitment to improving outcomes for children. Managers and leaders make decisions that are child focused. When a child comes to live at the home, their move is thoroughly planned. The needs of all the other children are considered, including those that currently live in the home. This ensures that their needs are well matched and helps children to settle quickly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Despite a high turnover of staff, children have remained settled. A review of the staff team by senior managers was productive and positive. The induction of new staff to the home is currently under review. However, staff told the inspector that they felt supported, and able to raise any issue or approach any member of the management team. Recruitment of staff is well recorded. However, some gaps in employment histories were identified and needed some explaining during the inspection. Otherwise, children could be placed at risk if staff are not fully vetted and verified.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, reflective practice supervision. New staff who are currently in their probationary period are supported by other senior members of the staff team. As a result, this has offered reassurance and guidance to inexperienced staff members. Training is recorded and all core training is up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The daily quality assurance and oversight by the registered manager has not identified omissions in recording of controlled medication until during the inspection. Nonetheless, the monitoring and review systems are effective in identifying the strengths and weaknesses in the home and, as such, are reflected in the work force development plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An additional layer of scrutiny is provided by the independent visitor. However, the report does not give examples to substantiate the information regarding children and the progress made by children. Senior leaders have been proactive in addressing this, and some improvement has been made. Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 5 Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 6

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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, 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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, that the recording of controlled drug administration is signed, dated and countersigned by another member of staff. (Regulation 23(1)) 15 April 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, to ensure that all gaps in employment for newly appointed staff are thoroughly investigated and outcomes recorded. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)

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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 for children’s home: 2608666 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Marcia McLoughlin

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Inspector

Jill Sephton-Wright, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2608666 8 regulates and inspects 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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