Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594902 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 part of a national organisation. The home provides care for up to five children with emotional and social difficulties. At the time of this inspection, five children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered on 4 December 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is on the same site as a school and two other children’s homes which are all part of the same organisation. The inspector only inspected the social care provisions of this home on this site. The other two children’s homes on the same site were not part of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 20 September 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 this inspection, 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: 2594902 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

Staff have built trusting and secure relationships with children; they invest time in them and promote their welfare. Staff place strong importance on ensuring all children attend their educational provision. All children are making good progress from their starting points and are doing well.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff follow a clear protocol when children go missing from home. They take urgent action and implement a well-coordinated response to help protect children, reduce their risk of harm, and ensure a safe return home. Effective managerial oversight helps identify any lessons learnt so staff can adapt their approach and help reduce the risk to children. Missing from home incidents have significantly reduced since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff help children to learn to manage their own behaviours and feelings safely. This has resulted in incidents including where children self-harm notably reducing in number. There have been some serious incidents where, as a last resort staff have needed to physically restrain children to keep them and others safe and protected from harm. When physical intervention has been used the records detailing the event are thorough with good managerial oversight and all relevant external agencies are informed.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the importance of following correct procedures when there are concerns about the safety of a child. Concerns are immediately shared with the child’s placing local authority. Leaders and managers effectively work with the local authority to help ensure appropriate action is promptly taken to protect the child from further risk of harm. Records of the referrals are retained, and the work undertaken by staff to safeguard the child is robustly recorded.

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Findings from the inspection

The physical environment provides a safe and secure space for children to live. The home is maintained to a good standard and has a homely warm ambiance. An eye- catching modern mural that children helped to create covers the large fence in the garden and effectively brightens up the whole area. Children’s bedrooms all contain an ensuite and are personalised to reflect their individual hobbies and interests.

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Findings from the inspection

No requirements or recommendations have been raised at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594902 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594902 4

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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

Gary Turney, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2594902 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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