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

Inspection report children's home: SC475715 1 . SC475715 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 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 the 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 September 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report children's home: SC475715 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/09/2024 Full Good 18/12/2023 Full Good 14/12/2022 Full Good 22/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report children's home: SC475715 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are settled living in the home. Staff provide children with stability. Parents and professionals talk highly of staff and the care they provide for children. One social worker said that there had been a decrease in challenging behaviours This demonstrates that the manager and staff are providing the child with consistent and effective care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming and has a homely feel. The home was decorated ready for Christmas, and children had decorated the Christmas trees in the home. Children’s bedrooms are individualised to each child’s preferences and decorated with their own belongings. This gives children a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff support children to attend the provider’s school where they are making progress from their individual starting points. However, one child who has now left the home did not consistently attend school. Staff did encourage the child to attend. However, this was not always effective.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to move in and out of the home in a positive way. One child said that they missed living at the home when they spoke to the inspector.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop their independence skills. One child enjoyed a holiday aboard. This helped them to develop their social skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop positive relationships with staff. Children spend time with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy activities together such as trick or treating and trampolining.

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

Staff know how to keep children safe. For example, when children have been missing from home staff follow children’s plans to ensure they return home safely.

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

Staff reflect on all incidents and share their learning in team meetings. This reflective practice helps staff to continue to make improvements to their safeguarding practices.

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

Children understand the boundaries that are in place to support them. Children receive consequences when appropriate. Since the previous inspection records have improved in respect of this. This ensures that the manager has oversight.

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

Staff use de-escalation techniques with children before using a physical intervention. However, when incidents do occur, records are not always in line with regulation. For example, the time the incident started. Although staff have received debriefs this has not always been completed by somebody who is independent. Inspection report children's home: SC475715 4 Children know how to complain. Complaints are managed well. Staff and children are kept informed and provided with the outcome.

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

Staff are aware of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Children have individual risk assessments. Staff frequently update children’s plans. This helps to ensure that staff have the most up to date information in relation to children. Strategies to support children are recorded in children’s plans. This helps staff provide consistent care and support for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is passionate, and she knows the children well. Staff speak highly of the registered manager, one member of staff said, ‘She truly cares about both the staff and the young people, and it makes a huge difference to the way the home runs.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have the necessary skills to provide effective care for children. The staff receive training to meet the children's needs. Training is individualised to children. This helps staff to respond to children’s changing needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a detailed induction. This provides staff with relevant knowledge and skills to care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision. This provides staff with the opportunity to discuss and reflect on their practice. Staff attend team meetings which helps to support their development. Team meetings also provide staff with the opportunity to share good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has effective monitoring and review systems in place. This helps the registered manager monitor staff practice to ensure that the quality of care provided to children meets children’s individual needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has effective relationships with relevant professionals. This contributes to providing good all-round care for children. Inspection report 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, 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

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy ("the behaviour management policy") which sets out—

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Requirement Due date

how appropriate behaviour is to be promoted in the children's home; and

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Requirement Due date

the measures of control, discipline and restraint which may be used in relation to children in the home.

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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

the date, time and location of the use 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.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that records of restraint are accurately recorded, and staff involved with the restraint are spoken to by someone who is independent. 9 March 2026 Inspection report children's home: SC475715 6

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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 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

Karen Andrews, Social Care Inspector Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report 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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