Children's Home run by Active Ark Limited in Cumberland

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 1 Registered provider: Active Ark 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 is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children's home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2019.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living in this home, and they both spoke with the inspector.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged as 'inadequate' at a full inspection on 15 and 16 July 2026. A compliance notice was issued under Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). This monitoring visit took place to consider the actions taken to meet the steps outlined in the compliance notice. The inspector found that, while some progress has been made, not all steps in the compliance notice have been met.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have not taken effective action to address previously identified safeguarding concerns relating to staff practice. They do not provide sufficient challenge to staff to ensure improvements in practice are made. A failure to undertake work to address poor practice risks repeated shortfalls in the care of children.

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This monitoring visit

Staff supervision sessions continue to lack sufficient focus on children. Children are not discussed, so there is a lack of reflection on their needs and the care that they are being provided. There are no records of the manager being provided with supervision sessions, so it is unclear if these take place, and, if they do, whether they provide the manager with the necessary support.

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This monitoring visit

Steps have been taken to upskill staff in some areas. Staff have completed learning and development sessions specific to children's needs, and some staff have learning Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 2 development plans to focus on future training needs. The manager has also provided clearer guidance to staff about how children should be supported to access their records.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is present in the home daily and understands the children's needs. He has updated and reviewed all children's plans, and these provide staff with clear guidance in understanding children's needs and how to respond to them.

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This monitoring visit

Children have made progress, are safe and say that they are happy living in their home. Staff focus on developing positive relationships with children and value their wishes and feelings. Staff respond effectively when incidents occur. The deputy manager continues to provide oversight of incidents, and the registered manager reviews these in weekly summaries, identifying further actions for staff.

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This monitoring visit

Improvements have been made to children's records. These now use less stigmatising language and better reflect children's underlying needs and progress. This more respectful recording helps to provide a more informed understanding of children's experiences.

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This monitoring visit

Repairs and re-organisation of the home environment have taken place. All children have access to all areas of their home without restrictions in place. These changes have created a safer and more welcoming environment. Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2026 Full Inadequate 22/10/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/07/2025 Full Inadequate 06/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 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, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

*The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children's home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home's statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(f)(h)) 1 November 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience; and

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Requirement Due date

have their performance and fitness to perform their roles appraised at least once every year. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b)(c)) 1 November 2026 Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 5 *This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 2506856 6

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Children's home details

Registered provider address: Active Ark, Unit E, Baron Way, Kingmoor Business Park, Carlisle CA6 4SJ

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Inspector

Amey Henry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2506856 7 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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Inspector

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