Children's home run by A Wilderness Way Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 1 Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation operates this cluster of two homes. Ofsted registered the homes in May 2025 under a multi-build registration. The two settings provide care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There were two children living in each home at the time of the inspection and both children were spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both homes are well furnished and maintained to a high standard. Children’s bedrooms are personalised with their own belongings, and the rooms reflect children’s interests and hobbies. Communal areas and large outdoor spaces in both settings provide areas for the children to spend time. There are photos of children and staff throughout both homes. This helps children to feel settled and provides a homely atmosphere.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have a nurturing approach, which creates a family atmosphere across each setting. Children are supported to build meaningful and trusting relationships with staff. External professionals are commissioned to do a range of work with the children. These specialisms include children’s health and well-being, outdoor activities and education. When children feel unable to engage with these sessions, staff continue to visit to remind the children that they are available when they are ready. This helps children to understand that staff will persist and not give up on offering them support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making varying degrees of progress since moving into the homes. Developing strategies to manage big feelings and the confidence to try new skills are some achievements that children have attained. Staff provide short-term support and the progress made by children is sometimes reflective of this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into either home, staff work to ensure that each child has a positive experience. Staff prepare each home for children’s arrival and meet with them prior to them moving in. This helps to reduce children’s worries and concerns before moving into their home. Sometimes, children arrive with little notice. When this occurs, staff respond promptly to ensure that children have the necessities they require, including clothing and medication. This helps children to settle quicker.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are sought by staff through regular discussions and chats. This helps staff to understand each child’s needs and how best to support them. Staff act on the views of children, such as their choice of activities, food choices and having their say about their care needs. Children are offered advocates should they require one. This inclusive practice means that children feel their voices are heard and helps them to build good relationships with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their health needs. One child has been supported by staff to have vaccinations that they have previously missed. Another child, who has chosen not to take prescribed medication, is being supported to seek alternative medical advice. This helps to ensure that children's health needs are prioritised. Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 3

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have individualised care plans and risk assessments that are completed and updated on a regular basis. This helps to ensure that staff have access to the latest information regarding children’s risks and needs. There are clear breakdowns of known risks affecting children, with guidance for staff on how to provide support when children need it.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children go missing, staff are proactive in following missing plans. Partner agencies and children’s families are alerted, and staff work in collaboration with the police to locate children as quickly as possible. One child was missing for a prolonged period. Staff were persistent and continued to search for the child during this time. The staff continue to complete children’s records in their absence. This shows children that staff were thinking about them when they were missing.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

On occasions when children become distressed, staff provide support and use strategies to de-escalate difficult situations. This includes times when children feel upset and miss their families and friends. Staff provide emotional and practical support to children and seek out specialist advice when necessary. This helps children to talk about big feelings.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When there are safeguarding concerns for children, they are not always managed effectively by staff. For example, an unknown adult was able to repeatedly contact a child by telephone. Staff did not respond with enough urgency to safeguard the child and did not take any action to prevent the adult from making further calls. This exposed a child to unnecessary risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and has a good insight into their experiences. The manager has high ambition for children and wants the best outcomes for them. This filters down to the staff team, who speak highly of leaders and managers. One staff member said, ‘The management team is amazing, it’s all about learning and reflecting. I never feel alone in my role.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager thinks highly of the staff team, who are skilled and work hard to provide a family atmosphere in each of the homes. Staff are supported through regular supervision sessions. This provides the manager with oversight of staff practice, including strengths and any areas for development. There is a core staff team, which means that children receive familiarity and consistency in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is a strong advocate for children and challenges decisions when relevant. This has included challenging the local authority regarding the decision to end a child’s placement at short notice. This manager works well with partner agencies when assessing the needs of new children who move into either home. The manager ensures that staff can meet children’s needs before any child moves in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 4 Team meetings take place frequently. They provide opportunities for staff to discuss each child and any changes to their risks and needs. Staff are supported to share their views and opinions on the running of each home and care of the children. Information is shared with staff, and the manager also uses the meetings for staff learning and development. The manager also keeps staff up to date using an online system to provide weekly updates and build a positive team ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 5

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child's welfare. (Regulation (1) (2)(a)(iii)(vi)) 18 December 2025

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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, 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 for children’s home: 2829263 6

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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 Inn, Bowscar, Penrith CA11 8RP

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Inspectors

Kerry Chater, Social Care Inspector (lead) Amy Groom, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2829263 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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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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