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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2890649 1 Registered provider: A Wilderness Way Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is run by a private provider. It provides care for one child with emotional or behavioural difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there was one child living in the home. The inspector met with the child.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was re-registered in February 2026, having previously been part of a multi- building home. The new manager was registered in February 2026. This is the home’s first inspection.

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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: 2890649 2

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Summary of findings

The child has been living in the home for 6 weeks. They are settling well and beginning to form positive relationships with staff. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the child’s needs and provide appropriate and consistent support. They engage the child in open and honest discussions about any concerns, which the child responds to positively. This approach has contributed to a significant reduction of missing-from-home incidents. The registered manager has a nurturing leadership style and is committed to staff development. Despite the home being in its early stages, the registered manager has made notable progress in building and strengthening the staff team, and staff report feeling valued and supported.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Despite initial resistance, the child has settled well into the home and has developed positive relationships with staff. They feel confident in approaching staff, including going into the office to seek support and have discussions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a relaxed and positive atmosphere in the home. The child and staff laugh and chat together. Staff maintain honest and open communication with the child, which helps the child to understand their care plan and encourages an opportunity for them to be actively involved in planning for their future.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is engaging well in education. Staff actively promote learning and provide opportunities that appropriately challenge the child, helping to support their progress and development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s care plan is regularly reviewed during team meetings, with clear targets set. This enables staff to share feedback and ensures that there is a consistent and coordinated approach in supporting the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager has identified that the child can sometimes find it difficult to process and accurately recall information. In response, he has introduced a communication book. This approach has been adopted by the child’s social worker, demonstrating effective multi-agency working and ensuring a consistent and supportive approach to meeting the child’s needs.

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

The child’s plans are clear, detailed and accessible. They are written in language that the child can understand, while also providing clear and practical guidance for staff. Staff are easily able to identify any increases or reductions in risk, supporting responsive and informed care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2890649 3 The registered manager and responsible individual undertake monthly monitoring of risks. They demonstrate a thorough understanding of the complexities of risk, including the likelihood and potential impact of each risk, and ensure that this is clearly evidenced. This oversight supports the child’s safety and wellbeing.

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

Staff use a strengths-based approach to consider the child’s risks. This promotes discussion around risks and risk management, which supports a coordinated, consistent response from staff.

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

When the child has expressed dissatisfaction, this has been appropriately recognised and managed as a formal complaint. As a result, the child felt listened to and valued, and meaningful changes were made to strengthen communication.

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

There has been a significant reduction in the child going missing from the home. This reflects the positive relationships established between the child and staff, as well as consistent and proactive support strategies.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has a new registered manager and a relatively inexperienced staff team. He has created a supportive, nurturing environment with a clear focus on staff development. This is contributing positively to increasing staff confidence, consistency of care and outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the management team, describing it as supportive and approachable. One member of staff said, ‘The registered manager and deputy manager have been amazing, they are supportive, understanding, and caring. They always go out of their way for both the team and the children we support, you can tell they really do care.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are thorough and reflective, with any practice issues explored openly and honestly. The registered manager is skilled at challenging in a supportive way, which aids staff development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are of a particularly high standard. They are reflective and purposeful, covering a wide range of topics including staff roles and responsibilities, research- informed practice and discussions around risks for the child. This contributes to consistency and a shared understanding across the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager advocates effectively for the child and challenges other professionals when necessary. On one occasion, when an independent return home interview was not completed within the required timescales, the registered manager escalated this and ensured that this was completed. This meant that the child had an opportunity to share their views independently and be heard. Inspection report for children’s home: 2890649 4 No requirements or recommendations were raised during this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: 2890649 5

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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: 2890649 6

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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: Stoneybeck Inn, Bowscar, Penrith CA11 8RP

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Inspector

Karen Karlsson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2890649 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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