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

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2526921 1

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A Wilderness Way Ltd

Monitoring visit 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.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s registered manager is appropriately qualified and has considerable experience in managing children’s residential care provisions.

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This monitoring visit

This remote visit was in response to a recent escalation in safeguarding notifications that led to an internal senior management review. The home has not been inspected since its last interim inspection due to the suspension of full inspections, and more recently assurance visits, during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is skilled in assessing and matching the appropriateness and compatibility of children and young people that are planned to live together in the home. However, a recent decision to place two young people together was not as successful as planned. Despite having sufficient and experienced staff caring for them, the young people went missing from the home and staff on several occasions. During this time, the young people engaged in other risk-taking behaviours, including theft, assaults on staff, self-harmful behaviour and damage to the property.

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This monitoring visit

With the escalation of events, managers conducted a thorough internal review of incidents, and using outreach accommodation associated with the registered home settled both with separate staff teams. Routine use of staff debriefs and positive use of reflective practice at the home shows that internal scrutiny is robust and has enabled further learning from each incident. However, the home has not Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2526921 2 recently produced a six-monthly quality of care review report as required by regulation. This is a requirement that is again repeated from the last interim inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Young people have since settled and there have been no further incidents. Young people were not criminalised as a result of any of these events. Social workers spoken to during this remote visit spoke highly of the home and staff, reporting communication to be a real strength. Social workers confirmed that despite recent events, both young people have settled and have continued to make positive progress. One social worker commented, ‘[Young person’s name] is much calmer; she has engaged with education and is now expressing ambitions for the future. I have been impressed with the commitment staff have shown her.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff and managers are meticulous in recording events and demonstrating how good practice and adherence to procedure is followed. The home has good professional relationships with partner agencies, including the police, who have assisted staff when required. Placement planning is thorough and comprehensive, ensuring that all staff have a good knowledge and understanding of the children and young people they care for.

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This monitoring visit

Staff report that they are well supported by management and that good communication throughout the home and company exists. Despite the national pandemic and some internal organisational changes, staff say that effective communication and support have been maintained. Regular team meetings, supervision and contact with other professionals have been maintained using available video technology when face-to-face meetings have not been possible.

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This monitoring visit

During this remote visit, the property was viewed by video link. Damage previously caused to the home has since been repaired and the environment appears extremely clean, comfortable and homely. Young people are encouraged to personalise their bedrooms to reflect their personalities and make them feel more at home. Staff have implemented government guidance to maintain a high level of hygiene throughout the home to protect all against the risk of COVID-19.

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This monitoring visit

Remote visits by the home’s independent person have continued throughout the pandemic lockdown periods to monitor safeguarding arrangements and the quality of care when actual visits to the home have not been possible. However, during these remote visits, the condition of the home has not been reported on and direct contact with children and young people has been limited as full use has not been made of available technology. A recommendation is made to promote greater external scrutiny and transparency with Ofsted. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2526921 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/09/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2526921 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, 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 complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that Ofsted receives reports regularly and within the required timescale. (Regulation 45(4)(a)(b)) 30 April 2021

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the appointed independent person makes a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)

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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: 2526921 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Jacqueline McCann

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Inspector

Gillian Walters, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 2526921 6 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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