Children's Home run by A Wilderness Way Limited in Northumberland

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes and experiences of young people are good. Individualised care planning is robust and is informed by a clear and comprehensive assessment of each young person’s needs. All staff have a first-rate knowledge of the young people in their care, which underpins their skilled childcare practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are resilient and treat young people with the respect they deserve despite the challenges they face. They encourage and support the young people to learn appropriate ways to deal with their anger and frustration, as well as how to keep themselves safe. They do this by showing commitment to them, by being excellent role models and by having clear, firm boundaries in place. Consistent handling helps young people to feel safe and secure and gives them a platform from which to develop and make progress. This is particularly important as the home looks after young people that have already experienced emotional turmoil, exploitation and abuse in their lives.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s health care needs are met. Their health needs are recorded within their individual care plans. Staff understand what the health care needs of each young person are and they fully support their attendance at all appointments. This promotes good outcomes as well as consistent care and support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In order to try and reduce risk taking behaviour and going missing, young people are encouraged to participate fully in formal education and to have aspirations for their future. One young person is expected to recommence mainstream education in the coming weeks after being absent for some time. Another that already attends school has consistently high attendance. One member of staff said, ‘We had an occasion recently when a young person was having a difficult time at school. We liaised with the school quickly and effectively and they were able to stay there. We think attending education is very important, not just because they learn new things, but because they are also able to make new friends and improve their social skills.’ Young people are also encouraged to participate in household activities. Staff encourage young people to share household tasks with them and not to think they are the sole responsibility of staff. One member of staff said, ‘All

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the young people get involved in preparing meals and cleaning the house. We try to get them to understand that this is all part of normal family life.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s management team know that the safety and welfare of the young people is paramount. Notifiable events are quickly addressed and notifications to Ofsted are appropriately made. This shows that the home operates in an open, transparent manner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The documentation used by the independent visitor to record the summary of their visit to the home has been reviewed and updated. The visiting officer now makes a formal decision about the on-going safety and wellbeing of the young people living there. This issues was raised at the previous inspection and has been fully actioned.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are also planning to invite local police officers into the home for coffee and to meet the young people. This will help to break down barriers between the young people and police officers. In addition, the home’s registered manager has arranged for more training in relation to child sexual exploitation to be delivered. Attendance at this additional training is for staff and young people. This will help them to appreciate what child sexual exploitation is and provide them with the insight to recognise when this might be happening.

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Information about this children's home

The home is owned by an independent provider. The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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