Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

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Full inspection 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 four children who experience social and emotional difficulties. Children who live in this home also attend the provider’s independent school.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

There were four children living at the home at the time of the inspection. The inspector observed three of the children and spoke alone to two of them during the inspection.

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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: 18 December 2023

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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: 2496627 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2023 Full Good 22/02/2023 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Good 12/12/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 3

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outstanding

Children significantly benefit from living in the home because they make continuous progress that enhances their lives and improves their outcomes.

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outstanding

Children usually live in the home for several years. This stability means that children are happier, more settled and have a stronger sense of belonging. They also develop ambitions and look forward to their future. One professional said, ‘Previously, [name of child] could not stick at anything because they were constantly moving. Living in this home for so long has made a huge difference to [name of child].’

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outstanding

Children have wonderful relationships with the staff and enjoy spending time with them. Staff know children exceptionally well, and their interactions with them are warm and caring. Children are seen laughing, playing games, telling staff their worries and throwing their arms around them for a hug. Staff make time for each child individually and as a group, creating a positive family atmosphere.

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outstanding

Children make excellent educational progress and achieve positive outcomes. Their attendance is very good, and they look forward to their school day. Staff encourage children to be ambitious and value learning. They provide children with opportunities outside of school to help them achieve academic targets. The strong and effective home-to-education partnership results in excellent communication between carers and school staff, which means that the children thrive in both settings.

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outstanding

Children live a healthy lifestyle. The staff are alert to signs that children are unwell and are proactive in ensuring that children promptly access health services. Staff help children to follow necessary medical advice and treatment, which includes dental care. For some children, this has significantly improved their health. Using research, and in consultation with the children, the manager has revised food menus, introducing healthier alternatives that have a positive impact on children’s well-being, such as their mood.

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outstanding

Children’s memory books are beautifully created, with an array of photos of the child’s experiences in the home. Because the children usually stay for several years, the books reflect the child’s growth and their remarkable achievements and are a treasured keepsake for the children in the future.

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outstanding

The spacious home is maintained to a high standard. Children influence the home’s furnishing and decoration, for example, their bedrooms are designed to reflect the child’s likes and individuality. The large gardens provide children with additional space and freedom to play, in addition to various walking routes that the children enjoy. This means children like their home and feel comfortable. Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 4 Children are fully supported to maintain important relationships and feel well connected to their family network. The staff coordinate children’s family time well so that children have fun and get the most out of seeing their loved ones. Parents say that the staff’s approach makes visits, which need to be supervised, feel less intrusive, which puts everyone at ease. Staff sensitively support children when family time cannot take place or when family relationships are strained. Written records of

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outstanding

sessions are routinely completed but are not always thorough. This makes them less informative, should children wish to read them in the future.

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outstanding

The high-quality professional practice in this home has resulted in a sustained reduction in all risks for all the children. This has made a significant difference to their lives, and as a result, they are safer.

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outstanding

Children receive therapeutic intervention that targets the impact of past trauma. Children engage well with the home’s therapist, who provides them with individual one-to-one sessions, often involving play. Consequently, children recognise a greater range of feelings and emotions and, where necessary, develop helpful strategies to cope with them. The staff follow the therapist’s advice and eagerly seek additional guidance when necessary.

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outstanding

Behavioural incidents in the home are well managed and have continued to reduce in duration and severity. The staff understand why incidents occur and respond to the children using appropriate distraction and de-escalation techniques. This has led to fewer children being held by staff.

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outstanding

The children live together in harmony as part of a big family. The staff model good relationships so that the children learn to compromise and see things from other people’s points of view. Consequently, children develop greater tolerance, respect and empathy for others. This results in the children valuing each other’s uniqueness and engaging more positively together, with some having close friendships.

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outstanding

Staff deliver creative direct-work sessions covering a range of topics that promote children’s self-care skills. When older children are ready, they commence an independence programme that improves their knowledge on various matters, such as managing finances, rights and entitlements and maintaining a home. This helps children to be better prepared for leaving care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and deputy have worked as an effective partnership for several years. The longevity of their leadership and ambitious attitude have shaped the home’s development, taking it from strength to strength to achieve the highest standard of care for the children. Complemented by the stability and skill of the staff team, the home is a nurturing environment where children flourish. Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 5 The manager leads by example, applying her own learning and research to improve children’s experiences. Her dedication and determination to raise standards have motivated staff to be the best carers that they can be. Therefore, they embrace opportunities to improve. This has resulted in practice changes and developments, some of which have influenced policy change in the wider organisation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Management oversight of children’s care is comprehensive and provides effective scrutiny of practice. The newly appointed responsible individual provides additional oversight by regularly visiting the home and reviewing the children’s care. This has helped to ensure that shortfalls are promptly identified and addressed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff are incredibly proud of their work and the difference this makes to children. They speak highly of the support that they receive from each other and their approachable leaders. Staff team meetings and supervision are reflective. They are balanced with a focus on staff well-being and development, alongside discussing the children’s needs and ways to boost their progress. Staff receive additional support and bespoke training when needed. This results in staff feeling valued and well supported in their role. Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that there is a detailed record of all forms of children’s family time, including telephone contact and unsupervised visits. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.18)

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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: 2496627 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: Lupton Tower, Lupton, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2PR

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Inspector

Catherine Heron, His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2496627 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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