Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2655761 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

This is one of several children’s homes operated by a national provider. It is registered to care for up to eight children. The home’s statement of purpose says that they provide a therapeutically managed home to meet the nurturing, health, social, emotional and mental health needs of up to eight children aged seven to 17 who are unable to live in a family context.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2022. This is the first full inspection of the home. There is also a school on-site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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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: 2655761 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children's home: 2655761 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from positive, trusting relationships with the staff team, who have a good understanding of their needs. Staff speak enthusiastically about the children and the progress they are making. Staff appropriately explain, encourage and model appropriate language and mutual respect for others. One child told the inspector that he gave the home ‘10 out of 10’ and he felt the staff looked after him well. Children feel confident talking to staff about any worries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The purpose-built home is clean, spacious and comfortable. Children’s bedrooms have en-suite bathrooms and children speak positively about the environment. Children are encouraged to personalise their rooms with new colour schemes, photos and pictures, and they enjoy spending time in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought regularly and are valued. For example, children have recently been involved in selecting and buying pictures for the communal areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The individualised care for children is informed by regular reflective sessions facilitated by the in-house therapist. Staff say this is invaluable in helping them understand children’s needs in the context of their past experiences, and this helps them to respond appropriately to children to help them flourish.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to see family members and other important people in their lives. One parent said that she was pleased with the progress her child had made since living at the home, especially in his school attendance and his improved physical and emotional health. She said that communication with the home was ‘excellent’ and the staff were keen to promote positive family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff who are knowledgeable about their backgrounds, including their ethnicity and culture. Staff provide care to meet the children’s cultural needs and they celebrate diversity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are offered a range of activities and encouraged to reduce their screen time with outdoor activities and board games. They are encouraged to play in the grounds with staff or go out for walks or short trips after school. One child enjoyed his first night at Cubs during the inspection and another is planning to start air cadets.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in school and attendance is good. There is regular daily communication between the on-site school and the home. Senior education staff attend the therapeutic reflective meetings to ensure an integrated approach to children’s care. Inspection report for children's home: 2655761 4 Managers and staff are proactive in advocating for children and ensure children are accessing the resources and services they need to meet their physical and emotional health needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are being supported to develop positive relationships with their peers, both in the home and at school. Children from the other homes on the site are invited back for tea and the children play together in the outdoor sports area.

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

The registered manager understands the children’s needs and vulnerabilities and ensures staff receive appropriate support and training to meet children’s individual needs.

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

Staff offer praise to children and promote and reward positive behaviour. They use creative strategies to manage behaviour without the use of consequences or approaches that children may feel are punitive. Restraint is only used as a last resort.

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

The manager’s oversight of restraint records is robust. The senior management team has effective systems in place to identify trends and patterns relating to the levels of restraint. Triggers to children’s behaviours are identified and staff training needs are adapted accordingly.

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

The manager demonstrates through her oversight, recordings and conversations with children and staff that she is appropriately managing safeguarding. Risk assessments are reviewed regularly, and systems are in place to ensure staff remain up to date with changes. Risk assessments and care plans are clear and comprehensive.

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

Staff understand the organisation’s safeguarding policies and practice. They know how to raise concerns and who to contact for immediate advice or support.

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

The staff team takes a proactive approach to anti-bullying and systems are in place for the manager to understand the vulnerabilities of individual children and put the necessary support in place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has high expectations for the quality of care which staff provide to children. Staff morale and retention rates are high.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about their roles and feel valued by the manager and wider organisation. They respect the manager’s leadership, and she is seen as knowledgeable, approachable and supportive by her team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

This is a new home and staff team. The manager and the deputy recognise the home’s strengths and areas for development. New staff feel well supported and Inspection report for children's home: 2655761 5 there is a positive learning environment. They receive regular, reflective practice supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The area manager and responsible individual are regular visitors to the home and are well known to the staff and children. The management team models good practice in line with the home’s statement of purpose.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings take place regularly. Staff are encouraged to share their views and discuss and review practice. For example, the area manager held a team meeting during the inspection, focusing on the home’s statement of purpose. This ensures that the staff understand the importance and purpose of this document and how it relates to their roles and positive outcomes for children.

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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: 2655761 6

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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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Inspector

Mike Simmonds, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2655761 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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