Children's home run by A Wilderness Way Limited in Cumberland

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This mobile service continues to operate in a manner that effectively prioritises young people’s safety and well-being. It promotes bespoke programmes of care and with highly stimulating activities that help most make significant progress from their starting points. It is effectively led and managed by a registered manager, who is well motivated to support young people to reach a better understanding of concerns surrounding their behaviour, and to make positive changes that will promote their safety and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service demonstrates skill in carefully planning for young people’s admissions, taking good account of known risk-taking behaviour that often include prolific histories of being missing, high vulnerability to sexual exploitation and drug misuse. The service shows flexibility in being able to place young people in often remote locations that are conducive to reducing risks of young people going missing or of engaging in activities that will further compromise their safety.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service reports a low incidence of young people that go missing. On occasions when this does occur, staff act swiftly and in good co-operation with police to search for young people and to ensure their safe return. Staff are highly reflective in their practice and learn from incidents. This includes implementing new strategies, such as a change in the home base location or varying routes taken to the home, to prevent further attempts to go missing. As a result, most young people make considerable progress from their starting points, significantly reducing their frequency of being missing and being involved in associated risk-taking activities that are likely to undermine their safety and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s participation is a key strength of this service. Staff seek to develop young people’s unique programmes and placement plans creatively and with their co-operation. These take account of young people’s individual needs, known risks and personal interests. Adventurous activities, such as climbing, kayaking and caving, prove highly effective. These raise young people’s awareness and promote knowledge and skill to self-manage behaviour in a way that promotes their safety. One social worker commented, ‘She has done really well at this service. Staff involved have been really good. She has responded well and they have worked really hard to focus on how she manages herself.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff actively encourage young people to participate in some structured education, as most young people have become disengaged from learning prior to coming to this service. Staff work closely with the service’s qualified teacher, who co- ordinates formal curriculum study and young people’s participation in vocational awards. These mostly relate to the range of adventurous activities available and the development of independence skills that are promoted within the living environment. This enables young people to experience success in acquiring new skills, promoting both their confidence and self-esteem. It also stimulates their interest and re-engagement with learning.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff show care and patience in supporting young people to explore often sensitive and difficult issues that have influenced their behaviour. In this way, young people achieve confidence and trust in staff, knowing that their views and opinions are valued. One young person said, ‘I can speak to X. I absolutely hated her at first but she listens to me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the last full inspection in January 2016. These have both been successfully addressed. The service has kept Ofsted and other relevant parties advised of all significant events that have occurred concerning young people. This promotes transparency of their practice and ensures that all relevant parties concerned with young people’s safety are kept well informed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has highly effective partnership arrangements, working closely with the Local Safeguarding Children Board, police and health professionals to promote opportunities and support, particularly for young people at risk of sexual exploitation. Social workers and parents express satisfaction with the frequency of communication that exists, keeping them well informed of young people’s progress. One social worker commented, ‘They send a lot of paperwork through.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, the home has updated its records of all young people admitted and discharged from the home, ensuring that an accurate and complete record is maintained as required. Young people leaving the service generally have a positive experience in making the transition to their new home. Staff carefully plan and, where possible, support young people with introductory meetings and visits that increases their confidence and familiarity with new staff. This means that young people are effectively supported to move on and settle in new surroundings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One shortfall was identified as a result of this inspection, relating to the organisation and quality of recording specific to restraint practice. This did not have any immediate impact on the quality of care provided or undermine young people’s safety. However, some recent entries recorded were not sufficiently comprehensive to assist the reader in understanding the events as they occurred.

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Information about this children’s home

 The service is a mobile programme provided by a private company.  It is registered to provide care and accommodation in separate locations for up to eight young people with emotional or behavioural difficulties  Only one young person is cared for in each location at any one time, and each placement can last no longer than 120 days.  Placements may be made at short notice and in emergencies.   The service is also inspected by The Adventure Activities Licensing Authority.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

30 January 2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

13 March 2014 Interim Inadequate progress

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person must comply with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

35: Behaviour management policies and records

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made. This relates specifically to ensuring that a comprehensive record exists for each incident. (Regulation 35(3)(a)(i)-(viii)) 30 June 2016

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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 children looked after 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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