Children's home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Sheffield

Unique reference number SC391594 Inspection date 28/01/2014 Inspector Debbie Foster Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 20/06/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This children's home is privately owned and provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have a learning disability.

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Brief description of the service

The home is fitted with minor aids and adaptations to help support children who may also have a physical disability.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

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Progress

This home was judged as good at the previous full inspection in June 2013. Following this interim inspection this home is judged to be making good progress. The home has addressed the majority of recommendations made following the previous inspection and has therefore demonstrated the capacity to improve.

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Progress

Young people continue to live in a safe, caring and supportive environment that enables them to make good progress in many aspects of their lives. There have been notable improvements in outcomes for young people, relating to their active participation in making choices, social, communication and independence skills. This is a result of a focus of the dedicated staff team give to implementing the individual care planning aims and goals.

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Progress

Members of staff report positively about the timeliness and quality of supervision and the training they receive. As a result, staff development and practice are regularly reviewed thereby improving the quality of care for young people. Young people are being more actively involved in making choices about their daily life routines; activities and menu planning. This builds self-esteem, confidence and in their abilities to make some of their own decision.

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Progress

Positive action to address two of the recommendations from the previous inspection has been taken. The child’s placement plan is monitored by a key worker. This ensures that the requirements of the plan are implemented, with clear evidence that evaluates the progress each young person is making. Young people have and continue to build on preparing for adulthood. They have developed a range of practical skills and gained self-confidence which supports their increase in social skills.

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Progress

One recommendation has not been implemented in full. Although the home has made requests for updated pathway plans for individual young people, these have not been provided by the allocated social worker. This does not enable staff to work collaboratively with the young person's social worker to implement a full and detailed plan. This could therefore impact in young people not being fully prepared and supported for their future transition to other services in a timely manner.

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Progress

This inspection identifies a further requirement and one recommendation both relating to the quality of the monitoring processes. Recommendations made are not always implemented in a timely manner; the quality of care is not fully evaluated as part of the monthly monitoring processes. A summary of the manager's monitoring undertaken in relation to matters set out in regulation has not been sent to Ofsted at the appropriate interval. It is therefore not clear how the service is continuing to build and further improve the quality of care.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure the registered person establishes and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children's home. In particular that deficiencies are acted upon in a timely fashion. (Regulation 34 (1) (b)) 28/04/2014

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that the home contributes to the development of each child's care plan, including the pathway plan for "eligible" care leavers and works collaboratively with the young person's social worker or personal adviser in implementing the plan (NMS12.2)  forward to Ofsted at six monthly intervals, a report in respect to the review of the quality of care provided in the home. (Guidance and Regulation Volume 5, Chapter 3, 3.14)

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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