Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Durham

Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 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 run by a private provider. It offers care for up to seven children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were seven children living in the home. Four children were spoken with.

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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 outstanding

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/06/2024 Full Good 10/07/2023 Full Good 21/11/2022 Full Good 20/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are active members of the local community. They invite neighbours for charity coffee mornings and visit the local church. Staff recently accompanied children to a local residential care home for the elderly during neurodiversity awareness week, so the children could share their knowledge about neurodiversity. Children also take part in community sports events. Staff encourage children to celebrate festivals and special days to increase their understanding of other cultures, religions and beliefs. Staff ensure that they have the right information to care for children and meet their cultural needs. Staff support children to develop a knowledge of societal issues and build tolerance towards others.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to have time with the people who are important to them when it is safe to do so. Staff work with families and social workers to increase the time that children can spend with their loved ones. Some children regularly have overnight stays and weekends with their families.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the children to continue their favourite pastimes and explore new activities. Children participate in football and cricket, play the guitar, attend games conventions and keep pet stick insects. They go on holidays and try activities, such as canoeing and fishing. This helps children to explore new opportunities and develop social skills. Children’s memory books and boxes are colourful, creative, capture children’s special events and are filled with memorabilia.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff regularly communicate with schools to understand children’s education journey. The home’s education champion uses this information to develop homework tasks to continue the learning at home. Staff help the children to understand the value and importance of education. Children have good attendance and are making progress. However, one child did not have an up-to-date education, health and care (EHC) plan. The manager had not effectively escalated this to the appropriate professionals. However, the manager had ensured that all actions from the EHC plan were completed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop their independence skills. Children learn to cook, clean and budget. Children can manage their own money and travel independently. One child has volunteered at the local youth club, had work experience in a primary school and started a part-time job. However, one child who is moving on to live independently has not yet learned how to look after and administer their own medication. This could be a hindrance to the child when they move on from the home.

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

Professionals and families are happy that children are safe living at the home. Managers create clear risk assessments for children that include actions to keep children safer. Staff support children to have access to therapeutic support that helps them to Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 4 understand their emotions and behaviours better. As a result, children’s social skills and ability to manage their feelings are improving.

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

The staff respond appropriately to incidents of children going missing from the home. They follow the children and ensure that they keep them in their sight. The children are supported to understand the dangers of going missing and are spoken to about staying close to staff and keeping safe when out in the community.

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

The manager investigates all allegations thoroughly and effectively. Staff and children participate in reflective discussions, and any learning is shared across the team. Children have open and positive relationships with the staff. All children can identify someone who they can talk to if they are worried.

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

Staff support children to understand risks associated with the internet. These risks are discussed with children during individual key-work sessions. Children’s learning needs are understood by staff, and important messages are effectively communicated so children understand the risks and how to keep safer.

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

Staff promote a positive atmosphere in the home using a variety of techniques to support the children’s behaviour. The ‘stick and twist’ rewards help children to develop a sense of responsibility and understanding of the value of money. If children need to be held to keep everyone safe, then the least-restrictive holds are used for the shortest time possible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has a clear vision for the standard of care that she wants children to receive. She is focused on developing the home, the staff and herself so that children have the best possible experiences. Leaders and managers are inspirational, confident and ambitious for the staff and the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has an in-depth knowledge about the children, their histories and any previous trauma they may have experienced. The manager ensures that therapeutic parenting is embedded in staff practice in the home. Staff benefit from the input of the clinical support team. Team meetings are child focused, and staff have reflective discussions about their practice. The manager creates an environment where staff speak about children with love and warmth and understand children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals are overwhelmingly positive about the way the home is managed and the care that children receive. Professionals were particularly complimentary about the excellent communication from the staff. Collaborative working with the professionals involved in the children’s lives provides consistency in practice, resulting in all children making good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is tenacious in advocating on behalf of children when she feels they are not getting the service they need. The manager is unapologetically persistent and Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 5 challenges others effectively. This has positively affected one child who is currently undergoing assessment for additional support. This need had previously been overlooked by other professionals and an accurate diagnosis will significantly impact the support and care she receives in adulthood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

New staff have access to the provider’s care academy, ensuring that they have the skills and knowledge to carry out their roles effectively. Existing staff have access to a range of training and learning opportunities that enhance the care provided to the children. Several staff are champions or ambassadors and share learning with the team on a range of topics. Staff are motivated to work at the home and value the manager’s emphasis on staff well-being. This includes ‘walking meetings’ and yoga sessions for the team. Staff report that they feel supported and valued by leaders and managers. Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 6

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should ensure that they have access to the most up-to-date education health and care plan for every child in their care who requires one. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 10, paragraph 2.1)  The registered manager should ensure that children have the knowledge and skills to take a proactive role in managing their health needs, appropriate to their age and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)

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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: 2615005 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

Kirstie Sutherland, Social Care Inspector Cat Makel, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2615005 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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