Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Oxfordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2614937 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 run by a private organisation that operates several registered children’s homes. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, four children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The provider operates a school on the same site as the children’s home. The inspector only inspected the social care provision during this inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 28 November 2024.

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Inspection date: 25 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 5 November 2024

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Inspection date: 25 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 March 2025

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: 2614937 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not find any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Children have good relationships with the staff. There is a homely, family feel to the environment, where there is fun and laughter.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff praise children for their achievements. These achievements are many, including one child cleaning their own bathroom. One child did not get involved in negative behaviours, and another child had a positive first day back at school. Recognition of their achievements helps the children to feel valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children’s involvement in community activities, including making links with the local food bank and donating food. Additionally, children are involved in a litter-picking initiative. Staff recognise the need for individuality and ensure that children can engage in activities on a solo basis when required. The children are not all involved at the same time. Since the last inspection, the manager has developed a staff community champion role. This helps the home to learn what activities are in the local community and how the children can become involved.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage children to have their own hobbies and interests. This helps to promote their individuality. For example, one child takes part in martial arts. Another child likes to cycle, and others enjoy playing football. Baking is popular with one child.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, staff have developed memory books for all the children. This has helped to capture the children’s time at the home. Records of memorable times include trips to a farm, involvement with the food bank, and time with family and friends.

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Findings from the inspection

Children can express their views and wishes. Staff provide these opportunities in many ways. The Our Voice house meeting is popular with the children. They have discussions about things that affect them all, for example discussions about bullying and what they had learned about it. Additionally, a ‘Your say is important to us’ feedback form gives children the opportunity to let staff know their views on the home. The manager reads all feedback from children. He comments on their feedback and declines or authorises requests. This helps children to learn that the manager and staff hear their voices.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff receive training in the management of challenging situations and unsafe behaviour. They respond effectively to behaviours that need physical intervention to keep the child and others safe. Staff provide children with time to talk about incidents that involved physical intervention. This space to talk is also offered to children who may have seen the intervention. Key-work sessions also provide Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2614937 3 children with time to reflect on any behaviours and the impact that this has on others.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff carry out work with children regarding how to keep safe online. This work takes place in key-work sessions as well as in group discussions. An effective firewall system is in place. This means that managers receive an alert if a child tries to access an inappropriate site. They raise this with the child and remind them about online safety.

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Findings from the inspection

There is an improvement in the recruitment process of staff. New employees are subject to more rigorous vetting, to ensure that children are not cared for by unsuitable individuals.

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Findings from the inspection

An effective manager is in place. However, he is due to leave the home shortly. A new and experienced manager started in February 2025. There has been a long induction and handover, to ensure that the new manager knows the systems and processes that help with the development of the home and the children who live there.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has ensured that there are sufficient staff on each shift. The staff are sufficiently trained to meet the needs of the children. This includes specialist training, such as in foetal alcohol syndrome. Staff receive training in physical intervention. However, there is a focus on de-escalation.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have been effective in their response to the requirements made at the last inspection. A detailed action plan enables continuous reviewing of the shortfalls previously identified. The requirements and recommendation have been met. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2614937 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

Full Requires improvement to be good Good 01/11/2022 Full Good 01/12/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2614937 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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Richard Humphreys

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Inspector

Vevene Muhammad, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2614937 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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