Children's Home run by Appletree Treatment Centre Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 1 SC386003 Registered provider: Appletree Treatment Centre Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 5 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2019.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the visit, 3 children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged inadequate at a full inspection on 1 and 2 July 2026. Compliance notices were issued under Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard), Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard) and Regulation 20. This monitoring visit took place to consider the actions taken to meet the steps outlined in the compliance notices issued. The inspectors also considered the remaining requirements and recommendations from the full inspection. The inspectors found that the steps in the compliance notices have been met.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and staff have now completed training on behaviour management and understanding children’s needs. Staff have reflected on previous incidents of restraint, during a team meeting, and identified how some interventions could have been avoided. This has improved staff practice and helped them manage incidents more effectively, with no physical interventions required since the full inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have now considered the impact of restraint on children’s health and have consulted health professionals to understand potential risks. Children’s plans reflect their health needs, and staff understand how to protect their safety and wellbeing if restraint is required. New accident and injury forms also outline clear steps for staff to take in response to injuries. This helps to ensure that appropriate action is taken and that relevant professionals receive the necessary information. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 2 The improved information that staff have about children’s health needs is helping them to adapt their approach to supporting children accordingly. Staff seek medical attention when required and provide increased support to ensure children’s health needs are met. As a result, children receive more timely and effective access to the healthcare they need.

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This monitoring visit

Senior leaders have reviewed safeguarding arrangements across the provider’s homes, using recent events to identify learning and improve practice. This has improved leaders’ oversight across the organisation and ensured that risk management arrangements in place for staff are applied consistently. Senior leaders are also working with external consultants to assess and review the quality of care. This work includes a plan for a new senior leadership structure and further workforce development.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders have introduced new processes to ensure that children feel heard following allegations against staff. A review of previous allegations has also been conducted, and child protection policies and procedures have been updated and shared with staff. However, on one occasion when a child raised a concern about staff, staff did not demonstrate curiosity, and managers initially failed to identify the concern. Managers acted once they became aware, opening an investigation and informing the relevant professionals.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have introduced systems to monitor staff practice through regular audits and checks. Managers now challenge practice appropriately, including through supervision sessions to improve quality, which focus more on children’s needs and staff reflection. Staff report that these changes have improved their practice and that there is now a clearer focus on meeting children’s needs. This supports staff learning and improves children’s safety and wellbeing.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed training in self-harm, autism and restraint, improving their understanding and confidence in these areas. This is helping staff respond more effectively to children’s needs and provide safer, more consistent care. Furthermore, leaders have undertaken a variety of training, which has helped to increase their knowledge in key areas.

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This monitoring visit

Staff are now more flexible and child centred. House rules have been reviewed, and children can come downstairs when they choose, keep books in their bedrooms and access all areas of the home. One child who previously struggled to have personal belongings in their bedroom now manages this well and feels safer in their own space. The less restrictive approaches being taken support children’s choice, privacy and dignity.

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This monitoring visit

Staff now store children’s records securely. This protects sensitive information and improves information management arrangements. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/07/2026 Full Inadequate 04/06/2025 Full Good 11/06/2024 Full Good 20/06/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 4

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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, The 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)) 11 October 2026

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Appletree Treatment Centre Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Meathop Park, Meathop, Grange-over-Sands, Cumbria LA11 6RF

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Inspectors

Laura Roberts, Social Care Inspector (lead) Sarah Adotey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC386003 6 and inspects 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 looked- after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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