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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s progress has improved since the last inspection, especially in respect of their education, aspirations for their future, and their emotional health. Staff have also started to improve the way this is recorded and evidenced. The previous requirement and recommendation have been met and there are two minor shortfalls identified as a result of this inspection. Young people have been actively engaged in securing the most appropriate further education course or training opportunity to meet their needs and interests. Young people also undertake varied courses to enhance their employability skills. Good work in partnership with professionals from transition teams ensures that young people well are supported as they approach adulthood and move on from care. One professional said that a young person, ‘has come on no end since coming here, she has shown real stability and focus, and is more motivated towards

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

independence. This home has been good for her.’ Staff and young people benefit from regular support from a therapeutic consultant. Team meetings are effectively utilised, helping staff to understand and positively address the behaviours of young people. The therapist stated: ‘Working with staff in the team meetings gives space for them to think together. The team is brilliant and receptive and willing to try out new ideas.’ Therapeutic sessions include yoga, meditation, aromatherapy and anger management. Young people engage well with their sessions. This helps them to manage their feelings and promotes their emotional health and wellbeing. Therapeutic input provides young people with a better understanding of their behaviours, and how to break negative cycles, thus promoting their resilience. Improved monitoring processes and recording supports staff to recognise and evaluate the progress young people are making. Specific areas are identified for

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

focussed pieces of work each month, ensuring a range of appropriate topics are discussed with young people. Daily records generally reflect the placement aims and progress towards achieving these. Young people are increasingly safe as a result of living here. Risk assessments provide a wealth of information on presenting behaviours, and how to manage and reduce risk. This includes very detailed assessments of the risk of self-harm and how best to support young people who display this behaviour. Staff are suitably trained in the management of self-harm and further training is due to take place shortly. Safeguarding training has been revised and now provides staff with an awareness of issues such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and extremism. Resources on these topics and on-line training are available for staff, proving useful information in addition to the training course. This meets the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

requirement and recommendation made at the last inspection. Young people’s behaviour continues to improve. There have been no missing from home incidents, physical interventions or complaints since the last inspection. This is because young people are settled in a stable environment and have good relationships with staff. Positive behaviour is encouraged through a reward programme with young people choosing their rewards. Sanctions for negative behaviour are rare. When they do occur, they are negotiated with the young person involved. Reparation, such as a letter of apology, may be made helping young people to understand the impact of their actions on others. The registered manager and deputy manager are very experienced and support the staff team to develop their skills. Supervision includes a review of key areas such as recording, safeguarding and placement plans. This ensures that staff have up to date knowledge and are supported to improve their work practice. Within the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

organisation, management training has become more frequent. This provides useful opportunities for reflection and sharing of good practice. Two shortfalls have been identified during this inspection. The plans for one young person identify a need for ensuring a balanced and healthy diet. Whilst this young person always eats a healthy evening meal, and often a suitable lunch, there are occasions when they refuse to eat breakfast. This has not yet been addressed with the young person and therefore their plans are not fully implemented. The home is generally in a good state of repair, providing ample space and a family style environment. However, the downstairs toilet, which is used by staff and visitors, is in need of repair and refurbishment. This is identified on the programme of refurbishment and maintenance but currently it does not provide suitable facilities for staff or visitors.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to care for 4 young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is owned and managed by a private organisation.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

06/01/2015 Interim Sustained Effectiveness

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:  ensure personalised care is provided that meets each child's needs, taking into account any relevant plans. This is in relation to the provision of balanced meals and reporting where meals are declined and the work carried out in this respect. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 14, paragraph 3.2)

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Recommendations

 the design of the home should provide staff with appropriate facilities. This is in relation to the poor condition of the staff and visitor toilet facilities. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 17, paragraph 3.26)

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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