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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people living in this home have a range of significant needs including learning disabilities. Staff know their needs well and have developed trusting and nurturing relationships with them. As a result, children and young people continue to make exceptional progress. One professional said: ‘This children’s home is the best home that I visit and spend time in. There is a lovely caring atmosphere and staff are child centred, supportive and understanding.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection a number of rooms have been refurbished and decorated, enhancing the homely environment. A requirement made at the last inspection has been addressed. Managers undertake daily health and safety checks in every room. In this way any hazards are immediately addressed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have not been any new admissions. However staff and managers have been proactive in driving the progress of one young person’s care plan. They have liaised closely with the case responsible social worker, personal assistant and family, and supported them to identify a good quality, suitable adult placement. They have subsequently visited the placement with family and shared relevant information with the chosen provider. Staff from the new placement have visited and observed staff caring for the young person. As a result, the new provider has identified equipment and activities to include in their care plans. Carefully planned transitions enable young people and their families to be confident about the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people who have had very difficult experiences in previous education settings are now responding positively and making progress with support from care staff. These young people are now responding well as a result of clear daily routines and structure. A tutor said: ‘Communication with carers in this home is fabulous. The young person we are working with has made significant progress socially, emotionally, and in her behaviours as a result of living in this home. The staff and managers are aspirational for her and advocate on her behalf. She now takes pride in her appearance and she has improved communication skills, so much so that she can now tell us how she is feeling. This is huge progress.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people have comprehensive health plans. As a result of responding positively to the care received, some children and young people have been assessed to not require some or all of their previously prescribed medication. Children and young people have improved their diet. Carers have been advised to withdraw dietary supplements and preventative medication as it is no longer required. Children and young people who struggle with change are supported to attend specialist health appointments and universal services, such as opticians and dentists.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are supported to develop life and independence skills. They take responsibility for setting the table, clean and tidy their rooms, help with the laundry, and are supported to change their own bedlinen.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Carers have worked closely with a specialist occupational therapist; and have received training and advice in meeting a young person’s sensory needs. They have developed a range of strategies that have been successful in preventing the escalation of challenging behaviours, relieving anxiety, and stopping the young person becoming distressed. As a result, since this young person’s admission, there has been a significant reduction in the need for physical interventions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers ensure that staff communicate with children and young people in their preferred methods, consistent with communication used at school and in the family home. Since the last inspection, all staff have received training in Makaton and have developed their use of picture exchange schedules. Children and young people have individual boards that detail their daily routine. Carers update these with children and young people, carefully adding new information that is clear about what is happening now and next. Children and young people are supported to use colour codes to express how they are feeling. In this way children and young people’s communication skills have improved and developed and they are being empowered to make choices about their care. Staff are able to be sensitive to their moods and needs. Improved communication has reduced instances of children and young people feeling frustrated or anxious. Staff are very aware that

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

children and young people with limited communication can feel isolated and this increases their vulnerability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are weekly children and young people’s meetings using picture exchange to represent choices. The recording of these meetings has improved since the last inspection, incorporating some of the children’s and young people’s recording and photographs. They are encouraged to make choices about menus and activities. They also choose a reward for their contribution to household tasks and good routines during the week. The culture of the home is to listen and give weight to children and young people’s views, wishes and feelings. One young person said: ‘I like living here. I like all the staff, I especially like my keyworker. I would give this home twenty out of ten!’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have received safeguarding training as part of their induction and are kept updated about policies and practice. There is a high level of supervision due to the individual needs of the children and young people. Placement plans include detailed, regularly reviewed risk and behaviour management plans. As a result, there are very low numbers of notifiable incidents and there is no missing or unauthorised absence. However, staff are aware of the vulnerability of the children, and ensure that there are a range of contact arrangements in place. They support contact with families and professionals and are proactive in requesting independent advocates for children and young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and deputy have a well written continuous development plan that is child centred and regularly reviewed with the staff group. They respond to recommendations made by their independent visitor, and have a programme of regular audits. In this way they have identified and are addressing areas for development of staff and the service.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to accommodate up to four children and young people with learning disabilities. The service is owned and operated by a private company.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

25/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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