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

Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 1 Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately-run children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to five children and young people. The service provides a settled period of residential care, with a therapeutic emphasis and multi-agency involvement. The aim is to help children and young people recover from experiences which have rendered them vulnerable and disrupted their primary relationships. The home registered with Ofsted on 7 March 2019 and the manager was registered at the same time.

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 10 September 2019

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people continue to have positive experiences in the home and make significant progress because of the care that they receive from the dedicated staff. The children and young people build trusting relationships with the staff and this enables them to make progress in all areas of their lives. Attendance at education has improved from their starting points and this leads to an increase in their confidence. The overall health of children and young people has improved, and their risk-taking behaviours are reduced following work undertaken with by them by staff. This effective engagement is helping children and young people to be able to reflect on their lives, look forward to the future and make plans. There have been several disruptions to the staff team in recent months and this has led to the children and young people feeling less settled. The children and young people expressed their concern about how the changes would affect their ability to

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

continue to improve. They have been able to raise these issues with the registered manager who is committed to creating as much stability as possible. He is aware of how such changes affect children and young people and works hard to minimise the level of disruption. The children and young people live in a large and well-maintained home. They are supported by knowledgeable and nurturing staff. Day-to-day living in the home is very structured and the children and young people regularly contribute to the development of plans for activities, free time and menus. This offers a sense of control over their lives, while demonstrating that their safety remains the main reason for the level of structure. Care plans and risk assessments outline strategies for staff to follow when incidents occur. The records demonstrate that children and young people have a voice in the home and in the decision-making in relation to their care. Incidents of missing from

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

the home and physical interventions are reducing. Children and young people occasionally go missing from the home. When such incidents do occur, the staff are aware of and act on the identified strategies in risk assessments and support plans. This protects children and young people and ensures their swift return to the home. This helps children and young people to feel protected and valued. Weekly sessions are held with children and young people to enable staff to work with them to look at their areas of vulnerability. The staff use a variety of methods to raise sensitive topics and offer strategies to help children and young people to manage their thoughts and emotions. This helps children and young people to become increasingly safe. Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 3 The management team has high aspirations for the children and young people and demonstrates this in practice with the staff. Monitoring systems are thorough and

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

identify shortfalls and gaps in documentation and recordings. The management team uses the independent monitoring system to assist in developing the service. However, the reports of the independent person along with the manager’s own quality report are not forwarded to Ofsted as required. While this has no direct effect on children and young people, it limits Ofsted’s ability to evaluate the progress and development of the service. Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/09/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 5

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month. The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person’s report to— HMCI; upon request, the local authority for the area in which the home is located; the placing authorities of children; the registered provider and, if applicable, the registered manager; and the responsible individual (if one is nominated). (Regulation 44 (1)(7)) 31/03/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months. The registered person must— supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed; and make a copy of the quality of care review report available on request to a placing authority, if the placing authority is not the parent of a child accommodated in the home. (Regulation 45 (1)(4)) 11/04/2020

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Information about this inspection

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

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, Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 6 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 children’s home: 2526921 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Manor House, Brisco, Carlisle, Cumberland CA4 0QS

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline McCann

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Inspector

Susan Atkinson-Millmoor, regulatory inspection manager Inspection report children’s home: 2526921 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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