Children's home run by Witherslack Group Limited

Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 1 SC475703 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

The home is one of several homes operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to eight children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2014, and the manager registered in May 2014. Eight children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The children access the organisation’s registered school and therapeutic services.

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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: 31 October 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/10/2023 Full Outstanding 18/05/2022 Full Good 17/08/2021 Full Good 22/08/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Moves for children in and out of the home are exceptionally well planned and managed. There are clear plans in place to support children to move into the home, which demonstrate how children’s views are considered. One child’s move out of the home was sensitively managed to meet the specific needs of the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children live in a safe environment, and they are protected from harm. The staff caring for children are trained in safeguarding. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities should they have concerns about children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Relationships between staff and children are positive and are built on trust and affection. They provide a solid base for children to thrive. Due to the nature of the relationships, staff support children to manage their emotions and feelings effectively, including those that may result in conflict. Staff speak about the children with enormous pride and understanding.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children receive outstanding care, support, and guidance from a highly committed, competent, and nurturing staff team. The stable and settled staff team promotes consistency and strong attachments for children. One social worker said, ‘They have a committed team around them and are working well together.’ Additionally, one staff member said, ‘The staff are always looking at different strategies to support the children.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making significant progress in their education from their starting points. Managers and staff work closely with education professionals to identify and overcome any barriers to learning. Children who have previously not engaged in education are now proud of the targets they are achieving. This means that children’s educational predictions for the future have considerably improved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children’s healthcare needs are detailed in their plans. Healthcare plans combined with direct work completed with children assist children in making informed decisions and choices in their lives. Important topics such as substance misuse, education, emotional well-being, healthy eating, and personal hygiene are examples of some of the excellent work that is carried out with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are making good progress in developing their independence skills with clear plans, support, and independent advocacy in place. Staff support children to see their family and friends. One child has been supported to independently use public transport to be able to spend time with family. This helps the children to have relationships with the people who are important to them and to maintain a sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home environment is decorated nicely and has a relaxed atmosphere. Children are supported to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their own interests and identities. This Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 4 supports children to have a sense of belonging. However, some of the bathrooms require improvements to be made.

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

Complaints and allegations are carefully managed . Leaders and managers fully investigate complaints and allegations. This ensures that children feel listened to and supported.

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

There are low levels of missing-from-home incidents. Staff are proactive when children go missing from their home. Managers and staff search for children and liaise effectively with relevant professionals to ensure that children are supported to return home safely. There are robust missing-from-home protocols in place that are fully understood by staff.

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

It has been necessary for staff to physically intervene to keep children safe. Records of these incidents are robust and demonstrate that holds are proportionate and appropriate. Detailed debriefs are completed with children and staff, which helps to prevent future incidents and ensure children’s well-being.

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

The leaders and managers work well with other professionals to support the needs of children. Professionals involved with the children are very complimentary about the staff. One social worker said, ‘The staff are exceptional and know all the children well. They fully understand them and can manage them well.’

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The manager evaluates consequences, ensuring that they are proportionate and restorative.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring, and ambitious manager who advocates well for the children. The manager has a leadership and management qualification. The manager ensures that she is present in the home and accessible to staff and children. Children are extremely fond of her. The manager speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children’s records are well organised, up to date and detailed. The records show children’s achievements and experiences. This information demonstrates the significant and continued progress that children make living at this home. The children’s records capture their views consistently, and their voice comes to life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive ongoing support, supervision and guidance from leaders and managers. Staff team meetings are regular, effective and have direct links to research to help support and guide practice. They focus on children’s well-being and progress. These meetings encourage staff to reflect on their practice through training and mentoring. Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 5 Managers and staff complete a range of training that focuses on meeting children’s individual needs. Staff apply their learning effectively in their day-to-day work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. The manager and staff maintain excellent levels of communication with other professionals. One social worker said, ‘Staff communicate amazingly with me.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an excellent leader who has high standards and demonstrates a passion for her role, which she shares with the staff. She has a detailed understanding of the children in her care and a comprehensive understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. Internal and external monitoring of the home are effective. Inspection report for children's home: SC475703 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the fabric of the home is well maintained and welcoming. In particular, ensure that the shower rooms 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: SC475703 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: SC475703 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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