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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 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

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, no children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and the manager registered with Ofsted in October 2026.

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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: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 2

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Summary of findings

Children benefit from warm, trusting relationships with staff, who are committed to helping them achieve positive outcomes. Staff provide tailored, therapeutic support that helps children feel valued, develop resilience and make progress in education, emotional wellbeing and independence. Children enjoy a wide range of enriching experiences and are supported to maintain important family relationships. Safeguarding practice is effective, with staff demonstrating persistence and skill in supporting children with complex needs and risks. Leaders are reflective, child focused and work effectively with partner agencies.

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Summary of findings

However, weaknesses in one child’s assessment and care planning limited the effectiveness of decision-making when they moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children experience a strong sense of belonging and emotional security. Staff are invested in children’s lives and provide care that is nurturing and accepting. Children’s views are actively sought through both formal and creative approaches, including personalised communication tools developed to help them express their wishes, feelings and experiences. These include memory books, reflective journals and individual communication resources that support meaningful conversations and children’s involvement in decisions about their lives. Consequently, children feel listened to, they develop trust in adults, and they gain confidence in expressing their views.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from the care provided by the staff, who understand the impact of trauma and adverse childhood experiences. Through therapeutic and reflective approaches, staff help children develop a better understanding of their emotions and experiences. Staff are skilled at identifying and nurturing children’s interests and strengths. For example, one child worked alongside staff to design and build a gaming chair from copper piping, developing problem-solving skills, perseverance and positive relationships with trusted adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are ambitious for children and provide a wide range of enriching experiences that broaden their horizons and promote personal development. Children participate in activities that build confidence, resilience and self-esteem, while encouraging them to explore new interests and talents. One child enjoyed camping, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, scrambling, river jumping and ziplining. These experiences helped the child develop resilience, confidence and a greater sense of achievement, while creating positive memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress in education from their individual starting points. Staff advocate strongly on behalf of children and work collaboratively with education professionals to overcome barriers to learning. One child, who had been out of formal Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 3 education for a significant period, was supported through a carefully planned return to education and subsequently secured an education, health and care plan. Staff also support children to celebrate their achievements through accredited learning opportunities, helping them to develop aspirations and recognise their potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health needs are promoted effectively. Staff encourage children to maintain healthy lifestyles through nutritious home-cooked meals, regular physical activity and participation in a range of outdoor pursuits. Children are supported to access specialist services, including therapeutic and mental health support, when required. As a result, children develop healthier coping strategies, improve their emotional wellbeing and make positive choices about their health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the importance of promoting family relationships and maintaining connections with people who are significant to the children. Meaningful family time is facilitated wherever this is safe and appropriate, including for children who live a considerable distance from the home. Staff work closely with families and professionals to support children to maintain important relationships, helping them understand complex family dynamics and strengthening their sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Planning for children moving into and out of the home is generally effective and supports positive outcomes. One child moved on following a significant reduction in risk and increased independence, with professionals recognising the positive impact of the care provided. However, weaknesses in assessment and care planning limited the effectiveness of practice for another child moving into the home. The home’s assessment did not fully identify and evaluate all known risks associated with the child’s needs, the location of the home and the staffing arrangements being relied on to manage those risks. This resulted in uncertainty regarding the level of support required and contributed to differing professional views about how risks could be safely managed. Although staff remained committed to the child and worked hard to maintain the placement, the absence of a comprehensive assessment reduced the extent to which planning was

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

informed by a full understanding of known risks from the outset.

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

Children are cared for by staff who have an understanding of their individual vulnerabilities, risks and lived experiences. Staff implement clear risk management strategies that promote children’s safety while supporting positive experiences and increasing independence. Risk assessments and care plans are regularly reviewed and adapted in response to incidents and changing needs, ensuring that children receive consistent and responsive support. As a result, children experience greater stability and, for some, a sustained reduction in risk.

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

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to children during periods of heightened vulnerability and distress. They understand the impact of trauma on behaviour and respond with patience, consistency and care. This approach enables children to build trusting relationships with staff, supporting emotional wellbeing and helping children remain engaged with their care during difficult periods. Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 4 The home’s safeguarding practice effectively protects children from harm. Staff maintain active oversight of children who are vulnerable to going missing and respond promptly when concerns arise. Clear protocols guide staff action and ensure that responses are proportionate to identified risks. As a result, children are consistently accounted for and there have been no incidents where children were exposed to harm while absent from staff supervision.

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

Staff work effectively with children who present with complex and enduring risks. They use therapeutic approaches, regular review of safety plans and reflective practice to better understand children’s behaviours and underlying needs. Even when incidents occur, staff remain focused on reducing risk, maintaining relationships and promoting children’s long-term safety and wellbeing. This persistence has contributed to improved outcomes for children with histories of instability and significant vulnerability.

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

Children benefit from clear and predictable boundaries that help them feel safe and secure. Staff seek to understand the reasons behind behaviours and respond in ways that promote learning and emotional regulation. Physical intervention is used only when necessary to prevent harm and is proportionate to the presenting risks. Discussions with children and staff encourage reflection, support relationship repair and help inform future practice.

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

Leaders and managers provide effective oversight of safeguarding practice through regular monitoring, incident review and multi-agency collaboration. Safeguarding concerns are shared appropriately with relevant professionals, and children are supported to access specialist services when required. Staff receive training tailored to children’s needs, ensuring they have the knowledge and confidence to respond to complex safeguarding concerns. Consequently, safeguarding arrangements are effective and consistently promote children’s welfare.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and deputy manager are committed to providing children with safe, nurturing care and have high aspirations for their progress and wellbeing. They know children well, understand their individual needs, risks and experiences and use this knowledge to ensure that care is tailored effectively. As a result, children receive consistent support that promotes their safety, stability and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and deputy manager work effectively together, providing strong leadership and a consistent approach to running the home. Despite changes in operational oversight during the inspection period, they have maintained oversight of children’s plans, monitored progress and acted when outcomes have not developed as intended. Their complementary skills and collaborative approach ensure that decision- making remains focused on children’s welfare and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders are visible and actively involved in the day-to-day life of the home. During periods of increased challenge, they worked alongside staff to provide guidance, Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 5 promote consistency and maintain stability for children. Their direct approach strengthens staff confidence and contributes to positive experiences and outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home benefits from a reflective culture that promotes learning and development. Managers create opportunities for staff to reflect on practice, including following one child moving on from the home unexpectedly. An outdoor, nature-based reflective exercise enabled staff to explore their experiences in a meaningful way, supporting emotional wellbeing, shared learning and professional growth. Staff also receive regular supervision sessions and training that reflects the needs of children living in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership working is a strength of the home. The registered manager and deputy manager maintain positive relationships with social workers, education providers, health professionals and other agencies to promote coordinated care for children. They communicate effectively with partner agencies and provide appropriate challenge when services do not meet children’s needs, helping to secure the support and opportunities children require.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring and review systems support accountability and the quality of care provided to children. Managers maintain oversight of incidents, staffing arrangements and staff performance, ensuring that concerns are appropriately addressed. Children’s views are actively sought and inform practice within the home. Leaders promote an inclusive environment where children are valued, respected and encouraged to develop a positive sense of identity. Overall, the home is led by child-focused and reflective managers, who understand its strengths and areas for development, resulting in positive experiences and outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 6

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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 care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)) 1 August 2026

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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: 2863483 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: Stoneybeck Inn, Bowscar, Penrith CA11 8RP

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Inspector

Claire Webster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2863483 8 regulates and inspects 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 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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