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 good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people continue to make good progress at this home. They feel safe and are well supported by a competent and highly motivated staff team. Staff show considerable commitment to helping young people achieve stability that will enable them to move forward positively to find permanency in their next placement. Young people say they like the relaxed, open and honest approach shown to them by staff. Consequently, most young people develop positive relationships with staff who are then able to successfully prepare them for their next move.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since this home’s last inspection in November 2016, the home has appointed a deputy manager to assist the registered manager in her role. He is suitably qualified, and is experienced in working with children in residential care. He is also familiar with the expectations of the role, having previously held the position of deputy manager in another home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, another management appointment has been made to specifically target improvements in recruitment, staff training and staff development. Both new posts successfully address the home’s development plan to improve permanent staff retention and lessen the reliance on freelance staff. These arrangements provide further support to the registered manager as her service grows and develops.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All requirements and recommendations from the last inspection have been appropriately addressed. New arrangements exist for staff to receive regular and timely supervision, with some responsibility devolved within the new management structure. This enables the registered manager to have greater availability to young people on a daily basis, while still ensuring that staff performance is being routinely and appropriately monitored.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although all staff appraisals are scheduled to take place during March and April 2017, it was noted that a number of staff had not had an annual appraisal within the previous year to formally assess their fitness and performance. This is contrary to good practice. However, it appears that this has not had any significant impact on the care that young people have received. It was observed that young people are having their voices heard, as they are able to express their views about individual staff members and contribute to the appraisal process.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

New staff members comment favourably on the quality of the home’s induction training programme and the management support they receive. All new staff members spoken to during this inspection unanimously described the induction programme as ‘brilliant’. Staff are provided with good opportunities to access a wide range of training to expand and improve their skills in caring for young people in crisis.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service has invested in a number of smart phones to further improve communication between the staff teams who are often working with young people in remote locations. Staff are encouraged to use secure applications on these mobile devices to communicate their daily schedule, to avoid the possibility of young people accidentally meeting at the same location. Young people have access to more basic mobile devices, to make calls in accordance with their individual risk assessments and arrangements for keeping in touch with family and friends.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff regularly update risk assessments and care planning records, especially after any incidents, to ensure that information is current and reflects and addresses young people’s needs and progress. Local authorities and other professionals express confidence and satisfaction with the home. One social worker commented, ‘The communication is excellent and they offer regular updates in regard to what my young person has been doing and achieving.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are vigilant about young people’s access to and use of mobile phones and other devices. They understand the risks that technology can pose to young people, especially those who are known to have a history of being missing or who are at risk of exposure to child sexual exploitation. For this reason, young people’s plans clearly detail when there is a need to deviate from their right to have access to make calls in private, to ensure their protection and immediate safety.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy the wide range of challenging activities that are on offer and appreciate the encouragement and praise that they receive from staff. This has a very positive impact on young people’s feelings of self-worth and self-esteem. Young people are also given encouragement to develop their personal talents and interests. For one young person this has included playing the piano and ukulele, and has also inspired his interest to play drums.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The service works closely with local police and a wide range of other professionals and agencies. Recently, young people’s access to education has been strengthened with additional opportunities being sourced from a local college and independent education provider. One social worker commented, ‘My young person was provided with education from the onset and was monitored throughout the period. He was given opportunities to learn both classroom based and via environmental and community resources which not only improved his knowledge base but provided a chance for him to open up and discuss things with staff.’ Good arrangements still exist for both internal monitoring and external scrutiny of the home by an independent consultant. Reports regularly provided to Ofsted consistently provide a good evaluation of the home’s performance, and outcomes for young people. This greatly assists Ofsted in monitoring the progress of the

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home between inspections. The recent implementation of the home’s computerised records system is a positive feature that improves management oversight of the support and work undertaken with young people regarding living in remote locations, away from the home’s central hub.

p.4

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 who have emotional and/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 (AALA).

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 30/11/2016 Full Good 23/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 18/01/2016 Full Outstanding 30/01/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.5

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation:  All staff must have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. This appraisal should take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year and children in the home's care. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

p.6

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’.

p.7

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 that 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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8