Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Wakefield

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509298 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 provider. It provides care for up to seven children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

Six children were living in the home at the time of this inspection.

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Inspection date: 20 March 2024

Date of last inspection: 19 September 2023

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Inspection date: 20 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 20 March 2024

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. The inspector has 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: 2509298 2

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Findings from the inspection

No serious or widespread concerns were identified in relation to the care or protection of children during this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out and three children have moved into the home. Moves are planned so that any new children can start getting to know the other children who already live there. New children can also begin to form relationships with staff, which helps to support a smooth transition.

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Findings from the inspection

The children who have moved into the home have settled. Staff manage well the changes to the group dynamics. When children move out of the home, if possible this is in a planned way. Where necessary, the clinical team remains involved with the child for several months after the move. This helps with the child’s transition and provides continuity for support with their emotional well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

The children naturally seek out the manager to tell them about their day at school, what they have been up to and their plans for the evening. One child brought the class ducklings home to care for them over the weekend. This teaches children about the responsibilities and challenges of caring for a pet.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have freedom and independence in line with their age and understanding. Staff no longer regularly check on children in their bedrooms during the night. Additionally, two older children no longer need to hand in their mobile phones at night. Staff help children learn to manage their mobile phone use, so this does not impact on their sleep and getting up for school. Furthermore, this prepares the children who are due to move out of the home for independent living. Staff will still check the children’s mobile phone use if there is a specific concern raised. This provides children with privacy while keeping them safer.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has implemented changes in relation to the use of door sensors. Three children no longer have these on their bedroom doors. The manager keeps under review the use of door sensors for the other children to ensure that these are not kept on longer than needed. This ensures that this kind of monitoring is only used when children particularly need this type of support.

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Findings from the inspection

Alterations to risk assessments are evident. This includes clearer information about presenting risks and provides staff and children with arrangements for free time in the community. Staff now have a better understanding of expectations.

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Findings from the inspection

Care plans and the relevant local authority information are on the children’s files. If the manager has not received this documentation on time, there is evidence of escalation to resolve the shortfall in a timely way.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has changed the approach to behaviour management. This includes not implementing consequences for events that happen at school. Instead, the staff provide children with incentives so that they can work towards receiving a reward. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509298 3 This is a more constructive way of encouraging positive behaviour. Furthermore, the manager has oversight of the few consequences that are given. On one occasion, a child’s phone was removed following advice from the police, but this was not recorded as a consequence. This lack of recording by staff does not support the manager when she has oversight of the duration of consequences.

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Findings from the inspection

Children know how to make a complaint, and when this happens, the manager takes action. Children receive reassurances that they are being listened to. However, staff meeting minutes do not accurately reflect the discussions that take place about the expectations of staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff only physically hold children as a last resort. Children speak to the manager about their experience of being physically held, and staff look at other de-escalation techniques to stop this from happening, for example children going out for a car drive with staff.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager uses monitoring and reviewing tools to oversee the service. This includes an in-depth review of the children’s information held on file. The staff team remains stable, ensuring consistency for the children. The staff continue to feel well supported by the registered manager. Training is ongoing for staff, which ensures that their skills remain up to date.

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Findings from the inspection

The requirements and one recommendation raised at the last inspection have been met. No further requirements or recommendations were raised, and any minor shortfalls were addressed by the manager during this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509298 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/09/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/03/2023 Full Good 18/01/2022 Full Good 28/08/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509298 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

Miriam Dolman, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509298 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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