Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Sefton

Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 1 SC475689 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and is registered to provide care and support for up to six children with learning disabilities. This home can provide ongoing care for children when they reach 18 years of age to allow them to complete their education.However it must reduce the number of children accordingly.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and is suitably qualified and experienced.

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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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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/07/2019 Full Outstanding 23/10/2018 Full Outstanding 16/08/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 3

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outstanding

The children are settled, happy and making excellent progress from their starting points. Staff are aspirational for the children and support them to develop within their limitations. They are provided with a range of activities and experiences that promote social skills, independence and informal learning. One professional said that children are ‘flourishing’ and live in a ‘caring and loving environment’.

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outstanding

All the children have an education placement, and attendance is excellent. Some children who had previously not been in education for several years are now attending and making good progress. Transitions out of school to further education are good, and children have opportunities to continue with their education into adulthood.

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outstanding

Children are supported to maintain contact with people who are important to them. Staff work closely with children’s families, and this helps families to feel supported and involved in their children’s lives. For some children, family ties have been strengthened, and they have been able to attend family functions and events. This has been a positive experience for the children and their families.

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outstanding

Children are treated as individuals, and planning for their care reflects the holistic approach that the home takes. The manager uses research-informed practice to look at ways of enhancing and improving children’s outcomes, such as the impact of diet on the brain and development. Children’s health needs are well met, and they have access to a range of external health professionals. Children and staff are well supported by the internal therapy team who provide therapeutic oversight of care, individual therapy to children and additional training and guidance to staff.

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outstanding

Children are regularly consulted with about their care, and their views and opinions are reflected throughout the home. Children are given options and choices and have personalised bedrooms that reflect their individuality. Children know how to complain, and any complaints are managed effectively. However, these could be better documented with any action taken and the outcomes, as these are not always clear.

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outstanding

Children are cared for by a team of adults who are knowledgeable and nurturing. They are skilled at adapting their communication and working practices to meet the needs of the children. Staff have worked together for several years, and this provides children with consistent care, routines and boundaries. Children have built trusting and secure relationships with the staff team, and this means they feel safe and supported.

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outstanding

Transitions from the home are generally well planned and the manager works well with other agencies when implementing and developing transition plans. These Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 4 plans include a clear assessment of the child’s needs and the levels of support that may be required. Preparations for moving on from the home include visits and meeting new staff, which help reduce anxieties for the children.

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

The positive relationships that children have with the staff mean they are more able to communicate their feelings and emotions, which has led to a significant reduction in incidents. When incidents have occurred, they have been well managed, and the manager has had good oversight. Staff and children have benefited from debriefs, which has led to learning points being identified and further development in the recording of events. The use of restrictive physical intervention is rare, but when it is used, it is necessary and appropriate.

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

Risk assessments are clear, detailed and individual to the child. They include in- depth strategies designed to support the child and mitigate risk. Staff know and understand the children and their risk factors and are skilled in managing these. Staff provide clear and consistent routines and boundaries, and as a result, children feel safer and are kept safe.

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

There has been one episode of a child missing from home. Staff worked tirelessly in trying to locate the child and used a variety of sources to support them. Once located, a multi-agency team implemented a safety plan and risk assessment, which have been kept under regular review. Additional support has been put in place and, as a result, there have been no further concerns around such events and the young person has been kept safe.

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

Incidents of self-injurious behaviour and suicidal thoughts have been well managed with oversight and input from the therapy team. A clear and detailed risk assessment has been put in place. This is regularly reviewed by a multi-agency team, and risks have significantly reduced in response to the plan.

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

The manager is in the process of developing new safeguarding training for the staff team. This will include scenarios, recording and reporting of events, alongside signs of abuse. This will support staff to develop a wider understanding and knowledge of safeguarding children in a variety of situations, including online safety.

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

Children are provided with a safe and secure environment to live in. The home is maintained to a good standard and is clean and welcoming. Fire drills have been carried out regularly, although not all children have participated in these. A night- time drill has not been conducted, although children have evacuated the home in hours of darkness.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is knowledgeable and inspirational and is passionate about the home and providing safe and positive care to children. Children are placed at the centre of Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 5 everything, and the manager has used research to further improve the quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows and understands the home well and can identify the strengths and areas for development. They have high aspirations for the home, the team and the children and are creative in looking at how improvements can be made. Monitoring and quality assurance tools are used to good effect and support in the ongoing progress of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

One of the key strengths of the home is multi-agency working. The manager is part of a team of professionals that meet regularly to consider the care, health, therapy and education of the children and consolidate the information into a working care plan. This provides children with consistent care practice from all professionals and a holistic plan that clearly identifies the needs of children and how best to support and improve outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team are well supported and feel valued by their manager and the wider organisation. Staff have been consulted about recruitment and retention, and as a result, feel their views are heard and responded to. Staff have regular supervision and appraisal during which they are set targets to aid their development and progression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities, including training that develops knowledge and understanding of children’s specific needs. Most staff hold relevant qualifications for the role and have a wide range of experience. The staff have worked together for a long time and work as a cohesive and consistent group. This provides stability in the home and for the children. Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 6

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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: SC475689 7

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Sarah Orriss, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC475689 8 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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