Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 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 home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to five children who have complex needs and who may be experiencing a range of difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This home also has a school on the same site, which children living at the home attend. The school was not inspected during this visit.

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Information about this children’s home

Since opening, two children have moved into the home, and one has left. At the time of the inspection, one child lived in the home.

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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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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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: 2718968 2

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Recent inspection history

Not previously inspected Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This was the home’s first Ofsted inspection since it registered in January 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s transitions into the home are managed well by staff. Managers have visited children and, where appropriate, children have visited the home before moving in. Staff have helped children to choose their bedrooms and have personalised them to the children’s liking. This helps to give children a sense of belonging in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to understand the importance of education and encourage attendance at the on-site school. One child, who was a reluctant attender before moving to the home, is now attending school full time. They are aspirational and have expressed choices regarding their future career.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to try new activities and continue with those they enjoy, for example going horse riding, bicycle riding, to trampoline parks, boxing clubs and rugby. As a result, children continue doing things they like and have the chance to try things they may not have had the opportunity to do before.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive support from the clinical team. Following a period of assessment, a therapist helps children to explore their feelings and past experiences. The approach taken by the therapist has meant that one child, who would not even consider therapy before moving to the home, is now beginning to engage.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to make decisions and express their views about the home. Staff help children to talk about their week and reflect on what has gone well and things they could have done differently. Staff ask children to choose activities, food and things they would like for the home and garden. This helps children think about many of the positives from the previous week, and it helps them feel valued and respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Where appropriate, staff help children to keep in touch with their families. Parents are encouraged to visit and bring other family members and pets. As a result, relationships between children and their families are maintained and strengthened.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have formed a positive relationship with the child living at the home. The child told the inspector that they like the staff and living there. However, another child’s behaviour impacted on this child, resulting in them disengaging from staff. Since the other child left, staff have been able to rebuild the relationship. The child’s parent told the inspector it was like having the old child back, and they are happy and thriving. Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 4

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

On occasion, children have left the home without permission from staff. Staff have acted appropriately in trying to dissuade children from leaving. When this has been unsuccessful, staff have followed the children, sometimes for several hours, to make sure they are safe. As a result, there has only been one occasion when a child was out of sight, and this was for a short time.

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

To keep children safe, staff will use physical intervention. Records are detailed, and children and staff are spoken to following the intervention. This allows for greater management oversight and scrutiny of practice. As a result, physical intervention is only used when needed and as a last resort.

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

Staff have developed routine and structure for children. This gives children an understanding of what is expected, along with predictability. For example, one child is less anxious because they know what their day looks like. Being less anxious has helped them cope with managing their own behaviours. Consequently, incidents are reducing.

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

When children raise concerns, these are taken seriously, reported and investigated. Managers make sure that all who need to know are informed. As a result, children feel listened to and that managers and staff will take their concerns seriously.

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

Before new children move to the home, managers assess the impact of this move on children already living there. However, on one occasion, managers did not receive all the information they needed to fully assess the behaviours and risks the new child posed to the child already living at the home. This omission resulted in managers taking the difficult decision to end the placement for the new child.

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

Staff have developed plans that identify children’s known behaviours and strategies to manage those behaviours. When children’s behaviours have escalated, their plans have been reviewed. Where needed, managers have sought advice and guidance from behaviour management specialists within the organisation. This support has developed staff skills and confidence in managing challenging behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the home opened, there has been one placement breakdown. Managers have reflected to better understand the reasons behind this. Following a review of their admission and assessment process, managers have used this learning to make improvements. This has resulted in changes to the process. As far as possible, managers now gain all the information they need to fully assess the needs of children before any admissions to the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have prioritised support for staff and ensured that they have received frequent reflective supervision, mentoring from skilled practitioners and time to reflect through discussions when needed with managers. Staff were complimentary Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 5 about the management of the home and the support given to them. They say they feel valued and listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction, which includes online and face-to-face training. New staff have opportunities to shadow more-experienced staff before working directly with children. Staff also receive further child-focused training from the home’s clinical team and behaviour support team. As a result, staff are given the skills and knowledge they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is good multi-agency working at this home. For example, each month, the home, education and clinical staff meet to discuss children’s progress and develop plans to further support children on their journey. One parent told the inspector that managers listen to them, take on board their views and, if necessary, make changes to support their child’s care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should only accept placements for children when they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, and when they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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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: 2718968 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

Debbie Bond, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2718968 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 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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