Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Darlington

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is privately operated. It provides care for up to 8 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Seven children were living at the home at the time of the inspection, and 3 were spoken with.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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: 1159763 2

p.1

Findings from the inspection

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

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Improvements to the furnishings and maintenance of the home have been completed. Some areas of the home have been re-purposed, creating a more functional and child-centred environment. An external building has been developed to provide a safe space for children to develop their independence. Two further rooms have been separated to create separate spaces for higher energy activities and relaxation. This enables the staff to support children’s individualised needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff build positive relationships with children. One child has become more settled, and they can now have more personalised belongings in their bedroom. Positive relationships are also developing between peers in the home, with some children choosing to take part in activities and socialise together.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager is supporting staff to develop their skills in seeking the views of children and embedding these into the children’s day-to-day experiences. Regular meetings take place with children. Staff are more attuned to seeking the views of children and are working towards a culture where children shape their own daily lives. Furthermore, staff enable children to reflect on their behaviours and emotions in a safe environment which helps children to understand the possible effects of some behaviours.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Some children in the home are vulnerable to self-injurious behaviours. One child’s risk assessment of self-injurious behaviour had been reduced to low, a matter of days prior to a serious incident. As a result of the staff’s knowledge and understanding of the child, additional welfare checks were carried out. Staff responded promptly to the child’s medical needs and provided appropriate emotional support. When serious incidents occur, a learning review of practice take place where leaders identify areas of development for the staff team.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments and care plans are updated following an incident. Actions are included to support staff in managing children’s needs and risks. Some risk assessments for children, contain more detail than others meaning the quality of the assessments varies. Some children have specialist assessments where needed, such as positive behaviour support plans to support staff to focus on these specific needs.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The manager recognises the areas for improvement in the home and is working towards continuous improvement. The home has moved over to an online system, to manage children’s records. This has enabled leaders and managers to have greater oversight of staff practice and provide timely, constructive feedback to staff. Supervision sessions are provided to staff on a regular basis. These sessions provide staff with a space to have meaningful discussions and to reflect on their practice. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 3 Staff can also discuss personal matters, training needs, and any areas of development.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staffing has remained stable since the last inspection. The manager has strengthened the internal support for staff completing qualifications. The manager now provides better oversight and mentoring to ensure successful completion and improved practice. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/10/2024 Full Good 06/03/2024 Full Good 30/12/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 5

p.4

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.

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child's relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

p.5

Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(iv)(v)) 19 March 2026

p.5

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

p.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 19 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 6 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the home's workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(ii))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The children's views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.6

Requirement Due date

take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children's care and welfare and their lives.

p.6

Requirement Due date

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

p.6

Requirement Due date

ascertain and consider each child's views, wishes and feelings, and balance these against what they judge to be in the child's best interests when making decisions about the child's care and welfare. (Regulation 7 (1)(c) (2)(iii)(v)) 19 March 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

p.6

Requirement Due date

seek to involve each child's placing authority effectively in the child's care, in accordance with the child's relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (a)) 19 March 2026 Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 7

p.6

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Lupton Tower, Lupton, Carnforth, Lancashire LA6 2PR

p.8

Inspector

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 1159763 9 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.9