Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Unique reference number SC410539 Inspector Rebecca Quested Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Positive Pathways Limited Registered person address Park Business Centre, Hastingwood Industrial Park Wood Lane, Erdington Birmingham B24 9QR Responsible individual Kevin John Epps Registered manager Alison Jane Corkingdale Date of last inspection 05/08/2014 2 of 6 Inspection date 05/02/2015

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Previous inspection adequate Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged adequate at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

At the last full inspection of the home in September 2014 the home was judged to be adequate. Five requirements were made and two recommendations which have all been addressed. Managers ensure that the Statement of Purpose and home’s development plan are up to date. There is evidence to show that all of young people’s records are kept up to date and appropriate risk assessments are in place where bedroom door alarms are used. The Registered Manager has confirmed that the fire risk assessment is in place. There are four requirements following this inspection which relate to shortfalls in the leadership and management of complaints, maintenance issues and the monitoring of quality of care.

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This inspection

The home is friendly and relaxed and young people are able to influence their environment with their personal tastes. Young people feel safe and comfortable and communicate confidently with staff. Young people engage well with meetings and reviews and also in planning their meals, activities and goals. Consequently young people make progress in developing a positive self-view.

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This inspection

Young people make progress taking into account their starting point at the time of placement at the home. Young people who have not been attending education for considerable periods attend regularly and for lengthening periods of time. Young people engage with activities both in the community and with staff at the home. For example, some young people learn how to swim and some develop interest in painting and model making. Staff support young people to develop skills in preparation for independent living such as cooking and budgeting. As a result young people’s outcomes improve.

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This inspection

Staff provide good quality care which contributes to improved outcomes for most young people. Staff have a good understanding of young people and their cultural background and identity; they work hard to develop positive relationships with 3 of 6 them. Managers ensure that staff are appropriately trained and skilled to meet young people’s diverse needs. For example, staff have completed their level 2 NVQ in mental health and have received specific medical training to meet a young person’s health requirements. Staff are proactive in responding to young people’s complex emotional and health needs and as a result outcomes improve. A social worker said ‘positive changes have been seen in my young person’s behaviour since being placed in the home’.

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This inspection

Staff build good partnerships with external agencies and families. They are proactive in pushing forward young people’s care plan and in challenging external agencies to meet young people’s needs. Accordingly, young people benefit from consistent care, which meets their complex individual needs, and from appropriate contact with family and friends. As a result young people’s welfare is promoted. 4 of 6

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Information about this children’s home

This home provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with may emotional and/or behaviour difficulties. The service is operated by a private company.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2014 Full adequate 31/03/2014 Interim good progress 05/12/2013 Full adequate 30/01/2013 Interim good progress

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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 that a written record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response and the outcome of the investigation which has meaning to young people and their understanding of the issues raised (Regulation 24 (5)) 06/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all parts of the children's home used by children are kept reasonably decorated and maintained (Regulation 31(2)(e)) 06/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) shall establish and maintain a system for improving the quality of care provided in the children' s home (Regulation 34 (1)(b)) 06/03/2015

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that a report in respect of any review conducted for the purposes of paragraph (1) are supplied to HMCI (Regulation 34(2)). 06/03/2015 5 of 6 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Reg. Requirement Due date

This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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