Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Runnymede

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, one requirement and three recommendations were set. The manager has addressed all but one of these. Since the last inspection, the home’s statement of purpose has been reviewed and now provides clear information on the services that the home provides.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, the manager was asked to ensure that all staff are trained in the safe application of physical restraint and breakaway techniques, and to improve the recording of any restraint. Since the last inspection, the resident group has been settled and there have been no occasions when staff have felt the need to use physical intervention. However, the manager is clear on the expectations for record keeping of any restraint. The home has changed its model of restraint to one which is felt meets the needs of the young people better. Two staff have recently been trained to provide instruction in this method to other staff, and all staff are scheduled to complete this training within the next two weeks. This means that, when physical restraint is required, staff will be suitably knowledgeable to apply it effectively and safely.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff vetting procedures, as highlighted at the previous inspection, on occasion fall below the standard that is best practice. For example, the manager ensures that no staff are employed until checks on their identity and suitability are verified. However, application forms do not ask for clear dates of employment. Years, rather than specific dates, are accepted. There is no evidence that dates are fully scrutinised in other processes, such as interviews, to identify and explore potential employment gaps. Furthermore, no record is maintained of the verification of written references. These shortfalls mean that information which potentially impacts on suitability may not be identified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The building is well maintained, clean and safe. The young people are looking forward to redecorating the kitchen in their chosen colour scheme. The warm, homely environment is enhanced through photos, artwork and a ‘guess the baby’ weight chart on the wall. The young people are clearly central to the home, making their own lunches while chatting to each other. This gives a real sense of stability and shared family experience. This was commented on by a social worker, who said that their young person referred to the home as the only stable family she has had.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff provide a highly individualised and child-focused service, which means that young people’s individual needs are exceptionally well met. Positive nurturing relationships develop between the young people and staff. A placing social worker commented on the ability of staff to provide an environment in which children thrive. They said: ‘The child who moved in is not the young person who left the home. During her time at the home she flourished and experienced massive personal growth and development.’ Young people say that they feel safe and have a ‘great’ relationship with staff, particularly their key workers. A young person summed up their thoughts, saying, ‘It’s very nice here.’ Another young person described how she had returned to the home from a fostering arrangement at her own request, as she felt so well supported by staff. She described how she has made much progress in the time that she has been at the home, in relation to her

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

education and confidence. She has such trust in the staff that she wrote a letter to her social worker, asking to stay until her baby is born and to have a member of staff as her birth partner.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people are well safeguarded by appropriate supervision and support. Staff and managers have built effective partnerships with placing authorities, the local designated safeguarding officer and the police which promote effective safeguarding. Staff are skilled at talking with young people about the risks they place themselves in, and the potential consequences of their actions. The young people, as a result, have reduced their risk-taking behaviours such as going missing. For example, a social worker said that the child who they had placed: ‘Was much safer as a result of living at the home, and those skills they have taught her will stay with her for the rest of her life.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young people receive good support for their individual education needs, for example, they have access to all educational resources they require for their studies. They have a variety of educational support and some are taking GCSE exams onsite, meeting their particular needs. One young person has been supported to progress into higher education undertaking an access to law course in addition to their other advanced studies. The young people participate in a variety of activities and enjoy celebrating the normal rites of passage, such as the school prom. They are healthy and are encouraged by appropriate support to begin to take responsibility for their own preventative healthcare arrangements. As a result, some young people have much improved engagement with healthcare services. They access the home’s counsellor to support their emotional well-being, in addition to community services. One placing social worker said: ‘All staff went

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

above and beyond, more than any other home I’ve ever worked with, to support the child. She was at the home for three years, which was a significant change’, providing much needed stability. The home is well managed and there are effective systems in place to monitor the quality of service. The manager has very good knowledge of each of the young people‘s needs and individual progress and is committed to supporting them to succeed. The manager is aware for the strengths and areas for growth, for example, they have reviewed and improved the training arrangements for staff in relation to physical intervention. While one recommendation from the previous inspection has not been met, this has not had significant impact on the positive outcomes and experiences of young people.

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Information about this children's home

This children's home is run by a private company. The home is registered to provide a service for up to six children or young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. The company operates two other children’s homes.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

06/08/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

28/10/2014 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 recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 As set out in regulations 31–33, the registered person is responsible for maintaining good employment practice. They must ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them. In particular, ensure that all potential gaps in employment are identified and explored for each applicant, and ensure that written references are verified (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1). 

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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 ‘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 0300 123 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, work- based 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 .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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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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