Children's Home run by Witherslack Group Limited in Bradford

Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 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 owned and operated by a private company. It offers care for up to 7 children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 1 August 2025. A manager was appointed and applied to register but has since withdrawn their application. The provider has appointed an interim manager.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, 10 children have lived in the home. At the time of this inspection, 7 children were living in the home and inspectors spoke to all of them.

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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: 11 December 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/12/2024 Full Outstanding 22/08/2023 Full Outstanding 25/01/2023 Full Good 28/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a relaxed family-style atmosphere to the home. Children play outside and sit together to eat at teatime. A child commented positively on the range of activities available to them. Other people have given positive feedback about the home. A parent said that the home is ‘amazing,’ and they feel ‘always in the know’ with what is happening for their child. A professional said that staff are ‘nurturing.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have supported children in the home to make progress in different ways. Staff promote positive outcomes and experiences for children. Staff are keen to see children succeed and they celebrate their achievements. Staff work closely with the on-site school and the in-house clinical team to assess and track children’s progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders plan for children moving in or out of the home well. They consider the dynamics of the home and the impact upon other children. Staff welcome children into the home in a sensitive manner and help them to settle in. This is the case for emergency as well as planned situations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most areas of the home feel like an attractive and welcoming space. Some aspects of the home feel less homely, such as office-style carpets and doors. Leaders are aware of this and plan to replace the carpets.

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

Staff respond to safeguarding concerns for children in an effective way. If children are missing, staff look for them and liaise with other agencies to find them. Staff record serious incidents, and leaders set clear actions to follow-up afterwards.

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

Staff have positive relationships with children. They know them very well and work to maintain a pleasant atmosphere in the home. Staff treat children as individuals in respect of the care that they receive. Staff encourage children to have positive relationships with each other.

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

Staff develop comprehensive plans for children that are detailed and thorough. These are specific to each child’s needs and risks, taking into account their age and development. There is strong evidence of management oversight of children’s records.

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

Staff use a proportionate approach to managing children’s behaviour. They encourage children to make good choices using praise and incentives. Staff use consequences for negative behaviour that are appropriate to the circumstances. If staff need to hold a child, they do so only when necessary. Leaders speak to staff and the child afterwards.

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

Leaders take action in response to allegations of harm. They listen to children’s views and complete a full investigation. Leaders work in partnership with others to ensure the Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 4 child is safe. Where leaders identify concerns about staff practice, they challenge and address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Senior leaders have made interim arrangements in the absence of a permanent manager. Leaders are taking proactive steps to recruit an individual to the post. Children benefit from an interim and deputy manager who are well known to them. The responsible individual maintains regular oversight over the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The quality of management oversight is a key strength of the home. Leaders are visible and accessible within the home, and children seek them out. Children feel comfortable speaking up if they are unhappy about something. If they make a complaint, leaders respond in a timely and trauma-informed way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children enjoy a stable and experienced staff team with very little turnover. Almost all staff hold appropriate qualifications. Staff have access to a wide range of training and development opportunities. Leaders ensure that staff receive regular supervision and appraisal. An in-house clinical team supports staff, by offering therapeutic advice and intervention.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff gave a mixed response about working at the home. Some staff expressed concern about the team dynamics and leadership of the home. Other members of staff are very positive about the home. Leaders are aware that this may be as a result of the changes in management at the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 5

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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: 1259631 6

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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

Sam Saxby-Brown, Social Care Regulatory Inspector (Lead) Amy Groom, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1259631 7 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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