Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 1 SC475715 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 is one of several homes operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to seven children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in May 2014, and the manager registered in August 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: 18 December 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/12/2023 Full Good 14/12/2022 Full Good 22/03/2022 Full Good 24/09/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where the children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. Children are supported well by the manager and staff, who hold them in high regard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has a relaxed feel. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and there are photos of the children and celebration certificates displayed in the home. This gives the children a sense of belonging. The home is currently undergoing some redecoration. Some of the bathrooms require improvements to be made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff meet the needs of the children well. One social worker said, ‘Staff are very aware of his [a child’s] needs.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with the people who are important to them. Staff maintain good communication with the children’s families. This provides the children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain family relationships. One family member said, ‘The staff are so good with developing the bond between me and [name of child].’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities both inside and outside of the home. Activities include imaginative play, painting, playing on the computer, swimming, attending a local gym and playing football. This helps to support the children’s hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent and develop new skills, based on their age and understanding. Staff support children to complete tasks around the house, including cooking, managing money, and helping with the laundry, which helps to promote children’s independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are all in good health and staff actively encourage them to attend health appointments. All children’s healthcare needs are detailed in their plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is good information-sharing between staff and children’s education providers. Children’s education is promoted, and their attendance and attainment have improved. One social worker said, ‘Staff have promoted education and going to school.’

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them to understand their emotions. This helps children to manage their behaviours more effectively.

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

Children have individual dynamic risk assessments that are regularly updated by the manager and staff. Staff understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 4 to talk to children and educate them about risk. Staff use these discussions to increase the children’s understanding of safety. Staff have a good understanding of the missing- from-home procedures.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication and work closely with external professionals to ensure that children receive the appropriate support. One social worker said, ‘We have monthly meetings with staff from the home, staff from school, team manager and me as social worker, which are really helpful.’

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

Staff receive regular training to help them to support the needs of the children, including in safeguarding, self-harm, missing from care, therapeutic parenting, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. This ensures that staff have the skills to support the children’s individual needs.

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. However, the effectiveness of consequences is not recorded. This means there are missed opportunities to understand any lessons learned.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring, and ambitious manager who advocates well for the children. The manager has completed a leadership and management qualification. She ensures she is present in the home and accessible to the children and staff, and speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff attend regular team meetings, as well as child-focused meetings. These provide opportunities for the staff to reflect on and develop their practice and ways to support the children. The in-house therapist said, ‘Staff are really reflective, share information and listen to each other.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. She has good oversight of the children’s progress and any changes needed. Staff say they feel supported by the manager. One staff member said, ‘The management team are very supportive and helped me progress in my career.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervisions in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Feedback from colleagues and children is not considered during staff appraisals, which would provide a more comprehensive view of staff performance. Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time, and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 1 November 2024 Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 6 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there is a detailed record of any consequences, which also includes the effectiveness of the consequence.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and of children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 61, paragraph 13.5)  The registered person should ensure that the fabric of the home is well maintained and welcoming, in particular, that the shower rooms and toilets meet the same standards as the rest of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC475715 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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Inspectors

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Debbie Dawson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC475715 8 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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