Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

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

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with emotional and social needs. There is a school on the same site. The inspector only inspected the social care provision on this site.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 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 outstanding

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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

Date of last inspection: 9 February 2022

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 3

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outstanding

At the time of the inspection, there were four children living at the home. Children develop their self-confidence and make excellent progress. Their views are sought at every opportunity. Regular ‘our voice’ meetings provide a forum for discussion and planning. ‘Back to the future’ feedback forms are completed with children or by staff in collaboration with children. Listening to children’s views makes them feel valued and empowered.

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outstanding

The children’s overall experiences are excellent. They receive outstanding care from a dedicated staff team. Staff build trusting relationships with the children and have a comprehensive understanding of their needs. Children enjoy spending time with staff.

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outstanding

The skilled staff view children’s emotional well-being as a priority. Children receive therapeutic interventions that are exceptionally well coordinated. Regular consultation between the staff and the therapy team ensures that children’s behaviours are seen in the context of their traumatic histories. The staff’s therapeutic and compassionate approach is a strength. The manager’s dog visits regularly and adds something special to the children’s experiences.

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outstanding

The staff ensure that children have protected time with people who are important to them. The staff have taken time to build trust with the children’s families. Relatives say that children are happy and safe. One parent said that staff are ‘doing really well… They have really supported my child’s development.’ Supporting family relationships in this way improves the children’s sense of identity and belonging.

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outstanding

The children all attend the on-site school. School staff, home staff and the therapeutic team work together to ensure that the children receive consistent support and care. Staff value the importance of education. From their individual starting points, children are making exceptional progress.

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outstanding

The home is welcoming, spacious and vibrant. Children have personalised their bedrooms. Throughout the house, the walls are adorned with photos of the children enjoying a wide range of activities. The large garden provides space for playing football and other activities. The home reflects family values and meets the children’s needs.

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outstanding

Throughout the inspection, children were seen in constant discussion with staff. Children are at ease with staff, which contributes greatly to the happy and relaxed atmosphere at the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 4

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outstanding

Children are safe and well cared for. Staff have developed a meticulous understanding of the children’s vulnerabilities. They discuss risks with children during one-to-one sessions. These support children to understand their risks and how to reduce them. Risk assessments are of high quality, and the staff regularly review and update these to ensure that they are current and responsive.

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outstanding

Strong relationships between staff and children and the effective implementation of behaviour support plans have led to a significant reduction in children’s unwanted behaviours. Children who have had multiple previous placement breakdowns have settled at the home and are thriving. Key to this is the joint working between care staff and the therapeutic team. Their oversight and analysis of incidents have enabled effective identification of triggers to children’s anxiety.

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outstanding

The manager has built a culture of using positive rewards instead of consequences, following evidence-based practice. Staff have wholeheartedly embraced this approach, which is regularly discussed in team meetings. Children enjoy drawing on their ‘thermostat chart’ and when it is full they receive a reward of their choice. This culture has brought a significant reduction in incidents. This means children are safer, enjoy less conflict with adults and peers and have an improved quality of life.

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outstanding

Physical intervention is used as a last resort. When used, it is necessary and proportionate. Following all incidents, the manager ensures that the staff involved have a debrief and explores how to prevent a recurrence. The children have been supported to express how they felt and to make sense of the incident. The manager holds review meetings with the whole staff team, to ensure staff are working consistently. Being open to learning from incidents and supporting children in this way has seen a reduction in incidents.

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outstanding

Relationships are a significant strength. Children have forged strong attachments with the registered manager and the staff team. Exceptionally clear boundaries and routines enable the children to feel settled and have ownership of their home. This good practice underpins children’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is inspirational and leads by example. He is supported by an experienced deputy manager, who assists him in the running of the home. The leadership team has established a culture of positivity. Managers have excellent oversight of the home and the exceptional progress that the children continue to make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has excellent monitoring and review systems in place. These systems ensure exceptional oversight of children’s progress. The manager is committed to making continued improvements and is forward-thinking regarding the development of the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 5 The manager is a dynamic communicator. Professionals and children’s relatives appreciate the high level of contact. Communication is purposeful and responsive to the children’s needs. Excellent communication provides the opportunity for constant review of the children’s plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager carefully plans children’s admissions. He carefully considers the child’s history and their current needs. Children’s moves are well planned. There is exceptional communication with the child’s placing authorities. Good matching ensures that children experience limited disruption.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive regular and effective supervision that supports their emotional well- being and helps them to develop their practice. Team meetings are well attended. These provide a supportive forum for staff development. High-quality support means staff are equipped for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff access training in core areas, including safeguarding, physical intervention and first aid. They also undertake targeted training specific to children’s needs, including understanding autism spectrum disorder and autism communication. The organisation’s therapeutic team delivers research-informed training to the staff. High-quality training means that staff have the tools and knowledge to provide children with excellent and individualised care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

External monitoring has supported the manager to make improvements to the home. However, there has been a delay in sharing this information with Ofsted. Failing to share information in a timely manner could delay regulatory oversight of the home. However, this has not had a negative impact on children. Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person must make a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. In particular, the registered person should ensure that the assessment reports are submitted without delay, to ensure regulatory oversight of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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 Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Paula Lewis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2608666 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 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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