Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Shropshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 1 Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children's home

This children's home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to 5 children with complex needs and who may be experiencing a range of difficulties. A school is located on the same site, and the children living in the home attend this provision.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The school was not inspected as part of this visit.

p.1

Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2024.

p.1

Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 4 children were living in the home. All 4 children spoke with the inspector.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2024 Full Good 15/05/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 4 children have moved into the home and 4 children have moved on from the home. Children experience well-planned and carefully considered transitions when moving in. Managers ensure that they receive relevant information about each child and, where possible, visit the child prior to their arrival. This helps children to understand the home's routines and reduces uncertainty. Children already living in the home are sensitively prepared for new arrivals, and any worries they have are addressed. As a result, children experience calm, positive transitions into the home and settle quickly.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who move on from the home do so in line with their care plans. Staff provide children with age-appropriate explanations about why others are leaving, which helps them to make sense of these changes. When decisions made by placing authorities are not in children's best interests, managers challenge these robustly, coordinate multi-agency meetings and ensure that transition plans are individualised and centred on children's needs. As a result of this persistent advocacy, 2 siblings moved to an appropriate home where they are now making good progress. This practice ensures that children's voices are heard and that their rights are upheld.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children make exceptional progress in their education from their starting points. One child, who previously had just 1% school attendance, now attends school consistently and is meeting age-related expectations.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are committed to ensuring that children achieve positive outcomes in relation to their emotional and physical health. Children have access to specialist therapeutic support, and therapists contribute meaningfully to assessments, risk management and weekly direct work. Clinical staff also provide training and reflective discussions that enhance the team's understanding of children's behaviours. These approaches enable staff to provide highly individualised care, helping children to make sustained progress and achieve positive outcomes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff actively promote and maintain meaningful relationships between children and the significant people in their lives, including when children or family members live outside the local area. This support helps children to remain connected to those who matter most to them.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are sensitive and thoughtful in supporting children with issues related to identity, ethnicity and diversity. One child in particular, has made significant progress in understanding and embracing their cultural identity. As a result, children develop a stronger sense of who they are and build positive self-esteem. Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 4

p.3

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

Managers use a strong multi-disciplinary approach to behaviour management, drawing on the skills of education staff, clinical professionals and therapists across the site. Children receive consistent, informed support to develop emotional regulation and positive behaviour strategies, which lead to clear progress from their starting points. One child told the inspector that the biggest change they have noticed is that their 'behaviours have changed', resulting in fewer incidents.

p.4

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

Child-focused meetings and regular managerial oversight are used effectively to review behaviour and support strategies, with meaningful input from the behaviour intervention support service. This ensures that practice is consistent, reflective and evidence informed. As a result of this coordinated and therapeutic approach, the use of physical intervention has significantly reduced and children now experience a calmer, more nurturing environment with fewer restrictive practices. The manager's comprehensive analysis of all physical interventions clearly demonstrates the home's progress and the factors influencing change. This ensures that learning is embedded into practice and further strengthens the home's therapeutic and effective behaviour management.

p.4

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

When children go missing, staff follow agreed missing-from-home protocols and demonstrate persistence and care in searching for them and ensuring their safe return. Staff make sure that children are offered return-home interviews and given time to reflect on what has happened. This helps children to feel listened to and increases their understanding of how to stay safe.

p.4

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

When children make allegations, managers respond quickly with proportionate, child-centred actions. Relevant safeguarding agencies are notified without delay, and children are supported to share their views and, where needed, to speak with someone independent. As a result, children feel believed and protected, and safeguarding arrangements remain effective and trusted.

p.4

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

When children self-harm or express thoughts of harming themselves, managers ensure that multi-disciplinary support is mobilised without hesitation. Children have swift access to therapeutic and clinical professionals, and staff update risk assessments in real time. This joined-up approach ensures that children receive the right support at the right time, helping to keep them safe and improve their emotional wellbeing.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children benefit from a child-centred and committed leadership team that has a clear, ambitious vision for their progress and wellbeing. Leaders know the children well and prioritise what matters most to them. As a result, children experience consistent care from adults who are focused on helping them to achieve their goals.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children's family members, children and professionals speak very positively about the leadership and the support they receive from the home. They describe leaders who advocate strongly, communicate well and place children's needs at the centre of all Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 5 decision-making. This confidence in leadership contributes to the stability that children experience and their continued progress.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported and valued. They report that they have the resources they need to keep children safe and help them thrive. Regular, practice-focused supervision and appraisal provide staff with structured opportunities to reflect, develop their skills and improve their practice. This ensures that staff are confident, skilled and emotionally equipped to meet children's needs.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders use internal and external monitoring effectively. They maintain a strong understanding of the home's strengths and areas for development and take swift, decisive action when needed. This robust oversight ensures that the home continues to improve and that children receive consistently high-quality care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children feel secure, settled and supported. Several children can clearly describe the progress they have made since living at the home, including improvements in their confidence, emotional well-being and developmental outcomes. This demonstrates the positive impact of strong, stable leadership on children's lived experiences. Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 6

p.5

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: 2718968 7

p.6

Children's home details

Registered provider: Witherslack Group Limited

p.7

Children's home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Nateisha Cardoza-Evans, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2718968 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.

p.7

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 . 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8