Children's Home run by A Wilderness Way Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 1 Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care for up to six children in up to four buildings, under one single registration. This is described as a ‘multi-building children’s home.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home offers short-term, intensive stays, which typically last for 17 weeks.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. Each child lives in one of the home’s houses and is supported by two carers.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in January 2024 and the new manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2024

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 5 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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, 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and three children have moved out of the home. Leaders and managers carefully consider the needs of children moving into the home to ensure that staff are appropriately trained to offer the right care and support. When children leave the home, they contribute to their transition plans. Staff work with local authority social workers to ensure that transition plans include children’s links to positive peer groups, activities, and education. When children leave, their progress and achievements are celebrated.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments are updated in line with any emerging information and following any incidents. They give staff a clear understanding of children’s risks and the strategies in place to reduce these.

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Findings from the inspection

When children go missing from home, staff respond in line with children’s individual plans. Staff take a multi-agency approach that includes police and social workers to identify actions that may support the reduction of recurring missing incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention is used as a last resort and only to ensure the safety of children. Management oversight considers staff practice and ensures that staff and children can discuss and reflect on incidents.

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Findings from the inspection

When children complain, their concerns are taken seriously, and they are kept up to date with any actions taken in response to the issues they raise. Staff advocate for children who have complaints about other agencies, and they pursue these to ensure that they are taken seriously, and appropriate action is taken.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager takes swift action in response to allegations made by children and ensures that children are safeguarded while investigations take place in partnership with the local authority designated officer and the police. When necessary, the manager takes decisive action to ensure that the staff working with children are suitable to do so.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have effective oversight of all practice in the home. There are systems in place to ensure that regular supervision is taking place and that this is reflective and develops staff practice in all areas, including safeguarding.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is showing signs of improved stability, and staff speak positively about this. There have been additional staff recruited, including new senior support staff. Managers ensure that staff are trained to meet the needs of the children they care for. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 3 The manager has made appropriate changes and improvements since the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 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: Stoneybeck, Penrith CA11 8RP

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Inspectors

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2778432 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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