Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 1 SC033268 Registered provider: Appletree Treatment Centre Limited 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 offers care for up to 12 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, six children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a school on the same site as the home. The inspectors only inspected the social care provision at this site. All children from the home currently attend this school.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Ofsted judged this home to be inadequate at the full inspection on 27 to 29 August 2024. Ofsted issued three compliance notices under regulations 12, 13 and 35 as there were serious concerns relating to the safety and protection of children and widespread failings in the leadership and management arrangements of the home. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 2 A monitoring visit took place on 2 October 2024 where it was decided that the compliance notices had been met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2024 Full Inadequate 04/09/2023 Full Good 22/11/2022 Full Good 20/04/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 4

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences of living in the home and are making progress. One child described the home as ‘amazing’ and said that they would not change anything. Staff promote positivity and are consistent in their support and encouragement of children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The strong and meaningful attachments that exist between children and staff are significant in the home. Staff speak affectionately about the children in their care and how they support them to achieve improved outcomes. Staff celebrate children’s achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff routinely engage children in meaningful discussions to gain their views. Children’s wishes and feelings are well considered. When changes cannot be made, children are clearly informed and helped to understand why. As a result, children can influence the day-to-day running of the home and contribute to the decisions made about their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children attend the on-site school and are making progress in their education. Staff have good communication with staff at the school setting and are supportive of children’s educational needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff use cultural celebrations to develop children’s understanding of diversity and promote this in the home. Staff support children who live away from their placing authority to celebrate their hometown cultures where they wish to. This is clearly reflected in shared areas of the home and in children’s bedrooms.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s time with family is promoted by staff. Staff communicate regularly with families where appropriate and have travelled significant distances with children when their families live outside of the area. This has helped to develop children’s relationships with the people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions out of the home are well planned, and staff work closely with wider agencies to ensure that children have the most positive experience possible.

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

Children’s needs are well known and understood by the staff team. The children’s care plans are clear, detailed and include guidance for staff to follow. As a result, staff know how to support children and keep them safe.

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

Risk assessments are of good quality and provide insight into each child’s individual needs, progress and areas for development. Information is shared routinely with parents Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 5 and professionals. This ensures that everybody is working to a plan that is tailored to the specific needs of each child.

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

Children have individual positive behaviour support plans in place, with clear guidance for staff to follow. Staff implement appropriate boundaries and routines, and they celebrate positive behaviour, using incentives and rewards. Staff use natural consequences, which are proportional, alongside therapeutic interventions in line with the provider’s identified model of care.

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

Children do not go missing from this home. However, there are clear strategies in place should this occur. The registered manager works with and has good knowledge of the local community to identify strategies that help mitigate any risks for the children.

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

Physical intervention is only used as a last resort and children are provided with an opportunity to talk about any incidents that occur. However, when one child made an allegation against a member of staff following a physical intervention, this was not recorded as an allegation. This is a missed opportunity to demonstrate that all safeguarding matters are managed in line with the home’s safeguarding policy and procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has a clear understanding of the children’s needs and has a child-focused approach. He is present and visible in the home to children and staff. He is supported by a knowledgeable and dedicated staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are overwhelmingly positive about working in the home. They feel supported by the senior leadership team and say that their views and opinions are valued and respected. Staff communicate effectively with one another and are enthusiastic about offering consistent, good-quality care to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that staff are recruited safely and receive a good-quality induction to the home. The registered manager is enthusiastic about the staff’s learning and development. Staff are provided with a wide range of training that includes specialised courses to meet the children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, good-quality supervision from a member of the leadership team. Staff are encouraged to reflect on their care of the children as well as identify any areas for further development. Team meetings are held weekly and are well attended. These meetings are child focused and used as opportunities to share good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partner agencies say that they are happy with the care provided to the children by staff. The registered manager advocates on the children’s behalf and shares relevant information to keep professionals well informed of the children’s progress. One social worker said, ‘The staff are incredible. They are consistent and reliable. The systems they have in place for supporting children are excellent.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered provider must ensure that all child protection procedures are followed when allegations are made as part of a physical intervention. 28 January 2025

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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: SC033268 7

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Children’s home details

Provision sub-type: Residential special school

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Appletree Treatment Centre Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Meathop Park, Meathop, Cumbria LA11 6RF

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Inspectors

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Michelle Edge, Senior His Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC033268 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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