Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Wakefield

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private company. It provides care for up to seven children who may have social and emotional difficulties. Additionally, they may have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Six children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 17 October 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are provided with structure and consistent boundaries, and they enjoy secure relationships with staff. This predictability provides children with a sense of stability and security helping children to be settled and to make progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are proactive in building positive relationships with children’s families and they support children to see the people who are important in their lives. Children’s views and wishes about family time are listened to. One child has been supported to make a complaint when the placing authority made unexpected changes to their family time arrangements at short notice.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are reported to be in good physical health, and they are supported to attend routine health appointments. Staff understand children’s emotional and mental health needs. When children have an identified need for therapy, they are accessing the right support.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy going to school. Attendance is high for all children, and they are all making progress from their starting points. Staff set high expectations for children’s education and children’s achievements are celebrated. Staff are aspirational for children which helps children to be aspirational about their own future.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are provided with a range of activities individual to their hobbies and interests. Children enjoy fishing, playing football cheer leading and majorettes. They are involved in the community. They enjoy looking after the chickens kept at the home, and they donate eggs to neighbours and some children have volunteered at the local foodbank.

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Findings from the inspection

Detailed risk assessments identify all known risks to children and provide staff with clear guidance to mitigate some of those risks. Staff understand children’s individual vulnerabilities and risks and they are clear about their responsibilities to children who go missing. When children have been missing, staff have responded proactively. This includes searching for the children and reporting them as missing.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, the number of incidents when children have been held has reduced. The measures used have been necessary and proportionate to keep children safe. Records show that children and staff are provided with the opportunity to talk about the incident.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff have reflected on the shortfalls identified at the last inspection and the requirements made have been met. The manager has improved the system used to assess the needs of children who move into the home. There is effective review and monitoring of the quality of care to children. Good oversight of Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 3 staff development means when shortfalls have been identified the manager has acted promptly.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one complaint by a child. The complaint has been investigated in line with the home’s complaints policy. The child has been provided with feedback and they are happy with the outcome.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has built positive relationships with other professionals and there is evidence of partnership working at this home. The manager is confident in challenging other professionals as needed and advocates for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive regular supervision that is reflective and provides opportunities to discuss the children. Staff said that they feel supported by the management team at the home. Team meetings happen regularly, they provide staff with the opportunity to refresh their safeguarding knowledge. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/10/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 17/01/2022 Full Good 27/11/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Rachel Webster, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2494551 6 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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