Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Young people make good progress in all areas of their lives during their time living at this home. They increase in confidence and feel very well supported and cared for by the staff team and managers. They refer to staff and managers as ‘family’ and have a strong sense of belonging. They feel valued as individuals.  Staff and managers place a strong emphasis on education and training for young people. Young people engage in education well and have aspirations for their futures. Staff and managers work closely with relevant agencies to ensure that young people have the support they need. They challenge agencies and professionals if they feel that there are any shortfalls in service provision for young people. For those young people not currently in any form of education, training or employment, a more structured approach is needed to support them each day and to plan for their re-engagement.  Young people feel fully integrated into the local community. Staff support

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The children's home provision is good because:

them to access local resources and to form friendships. Staff also encourage young people to keep in contact with family and friends. They have formed very positive relationships with neighbours and there is a real feeling of young people and staff being fully integrated into the immediate and wider community.  Young people report feeling safe. They state that staff really care about their safety and welfare and make sure that they are protected from actual or potential harm at all times. As one young person said: ‘I like that they call me when I am out on my own, to make sure I am okay and coming back. It makes me feel special and cared for.’ Incidents of young people going missing from care have reduced, due in part to the sense of safety and value staff have nurtured for young people. A young person commented on this: ‘I used to run off all the time and could be gone for days, I don’t do that anymore, as I feel so cared for by the staff here.’

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The children's home provision is good because:

 Staff feel very well supported by managers. They receive regular supervision and comprehensive training and development opportunities. This leads to a very competent, skilled and motivated staff team who provide high quality care and support to young people.

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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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that when conducting the review of premises, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46(2)) 06/02/2017

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that a record is made of any complaint, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 39(3)) 06/02/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendation:  Ensure that the children's home staff encourage the young person(s) to continue their education or training and support them to develop the skills necessary to succeed in the option they choose. This is with reference to ensuring that those young people who are not in education, training or employment have structured plans for each day, and receive support from staff. (‘Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.16)

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Information about this children's home

This privately owned and run children’s home provides care and accommodation for up to three children and young people. The home provides care and accommodation for children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 26/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 10/09/2015 Full Good 11/03/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness 06/11/2014 Full Outstanding

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Good

Young people report feeling very happy and settled living at this home. They form positive relationships with the staff team and feel able to discuss with them any issues or concerns they may have. Such views were articulated by one young person, who said: ‘They are all amazing and I wish I could live here beyond my 18 th birthday. I will miss them all so much when I move out.’ A placing social worker commented: ‘The care and support they have provided has been great, I cannot fault the care and support provided.’

p.6

Good

Young people enjoy a wide range of social activities, which increases their confidence and self-esteem. During this inspection, young people were seen to be engaged in craft and art sessions with staff in the home. This included making gifts for Christmas. They form peer relationships in the local areas, which further increases their sense of self and integrates them into the local and wider community. Some young people have been on holidays abroad with staff. This provides them with experiences that they may not have had before, and clearly increases their sense of value.

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Good

Staff fully support and promote contact with family members and significant others. This support is both practical and emotional. Staff place great value on the need for social engagement for young people, seeing this as a positive means of increasing self-esteem and confidence over time. A further example of the nurturing and supportive care provided to young people relates to their involvement with local children in care councils. One young person recently met with the minister of state for vulnerable children and families. The young person was able to interview the minister about issues relating to leaving care and received a letter following the meeting thanking them for their contribution. This engenders a real sense of engagement because young people make a valuable contribution to the care and support they receive.

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Good

Young people generally engage well in education and training placements during their time living at this home. Managers advocate for them and ensure that any failure of other agencies to provide educational placements is challenged. One young person is not currently engaged in any further education or employment. Staff have provided support to encourage them to apply for apprenticeships and employment options. There is a current lack of structure to the young person’s day in relation to ensuring that targeted work is done to secure them a placement in college or work. Key-work sessions do not reflect a clear direction or focus for the young person and fail to consider agreed actions and targets from previous sessions. Managers plan well for new admissions to the home. They fully consider the needs of currently placed young people and those of potential new placements. There has been one unplanned ending of a placement since the last full inspection. This was

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Good

due to a lack of detailed information provided by the placing authority at the time of admission. Managers use such experiences to learn, and endeavour to prevent further similar issues arising. Wherever possible, young people visit the home on more than one occasion prior to moving in. This provides an opportunity for young people to meet staff, managers and currently placed young people. It assists them in feeling fully included in their placement moves and leads to smooth and successful transitions.

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Good

Planning for those young people who are due to move to adult provisions and services is excellent. There is clear and positive evidence of staff and managers preparing young people well for their moves. They provide practical and, more importantly, emotional support for young people. Some young people manage their own food budgets, and learn to do their own shopping, washing and personal care. Managers have recently secured an agreement to provide outreach support to one young person who is due to leave the home. This demonstrates the commitment of staff and managers to ensuring a smooth and successful transition for young people.

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Good

The health needs of young people are handled well. They are all registered with appropriate health agencies and supported to attend appointments. Young people also benefit from being able to access specialist therapeutic support, provided via a contract with the organisation which runs the home. This has proved to be highly positive for young people and has enabled them to begin to address emotional and psychological issues from their past experiences. An independent therapist who works with young people stated: ‘The staff and managers are all so nurturing and supportive of the young people. Significant progress has been made for young people over time.’

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Good

Young people feel included in all aspects of the care and support they receive. Staff encourage them to read and consider their records and to make comments on them. One young person has been actively encouraged to make contributions to their pathway plan recently. This enables them to feel fully engaged in the planning process for their eventual move on from this home. The voice of the young people is evident in many areas. They regularly meet with the managers to discuss issues and share their views and ideas. They all present as feeling very relaxed and comfortable in approaching staff and managers for support, and sharing their views. As one young person said: ‘This is the best place I have ever lived since I have been in care.’ When asked why this was the case, the young person responded: ‘They genuinely care about me and for me and are like extended family to me now.’ Judgement grade

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Good

Young people report feeling safe living in this home and that the staff really care about them. The staff demonstrate a detailed and thorough understanding of the complex needs of each young person and of how they can meet those needs. They undertake a wide range of training and development opportunities, which equip them with the necessary skills and expertise to competently support young people.

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Good

From their starting points, there has been a noticeable and commendable reduction in the number of missing-from-care incidents. Staff follow agreed protocols and undertake detailed searches for any missing young person. They maintain phone contact with them whenever possible and work closely with police and placing authorities to ensure their safe return. Such commitment to understanding the reasons why young people may feel the need to go missing is valued by the young people. During this inspection, they commented on how concerned for their welfare the staff team are and how their support has led to them not feeling the need to run away as often, if at all. This is testament to the support and care staff and managers provide. Managers also show tenacity in ensuring that missing-from-care return interviews take place. This provides further crucial information to assist in understanding young people’s actions and assisting them to moderate any

p.8

Good

Staff help young people to understand the impact of bullying and other forms of discrimination. They undertake direct work with young people and enable them to share their feelings and concerns. They focus on any concerning behaviours and, with the support of the independent therapy service, enable young people to develop safer coping strategies. A number of agencies commented on the marked improvement in emotional and psychological health of the young people.

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Good

There have been no allegations made in relation to staff since the last full inspection and for some considerable time at this home. However, managers and staff understand the processes to be followed in the event that a young person was to make an allegation. Staff receive training relating to safeguarding and child protection and present as competent and confident in this area.

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Good

The home is run by a very efficient and effective registered manager. She has worked in this home for many years as both a residential care worker and registered manager. An equally effective deputy manager supports her. They work closely together to monitor and oversee all aspects of the care and support provided to young people. Staff and young people all speak highly of the managers. They feel very well supported and cared for. During this inspection, there were consistent references to the nurturing approach of staff and managers to young people. It is evident that they place the needs of young people at the centre of their daily work and practices.

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Good

Young people make noticeable and positive progress and have improved outcomes. Managers support staff to provide high quality care and to enable young people to develop effective coping mechanisms. This has led to reductions in missing-from- care incidents, and risks of exploitation. Managers have forged close working relationships with other agencies and professionals in the local area. Records reflect the work done and also confirm the full engagement and participation of young people in their care.

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Good

The home has a clear and detailed statement of purpose. It clearly sets out the aims and objectives of the service and is understood by partner agencies and young people. On admission, young people receive a highly personalised young person’s guide, which summarises the statement of purpose well. The manager has completed a review of the location of the home, and updates this annually. However, she has failed to ensure that relevant people and agencies have been consulted with as part of this review.

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Good

Very few formal complaints have been received since the last full inspection. Managers’ report very positive relationships and engagement with neighbours and involved agencies. A recent concern, raised by a young person, was not recorded as a formal complaint. Action was taken to address the specific concerns raised by the young person and they reported feeling listened to. However, by recording the concerns, managers could better demonstrate the actions they took to resolve the issue. Formal recording would also enable the young person to state if they were satisfied with the actions taken by the managers.

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Good

Staff receive regular and well-documented supervision and appraisals. They have access to a wide and detailed range of training and development opportunities. Managers have systems in place to record and monitor all training completed and due for staff. Induction of new staff is detailed and there is clear evidence of managers challenging any performance issues during the probationary period.

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Good

At the last interim inspection, one requirement and one recommendation were made. The manager has paid for door releases to be placed on fire doors. This prevents young people and staff from propping doors open and presenting potential fire risks. The fire risk assessment for the home has also been updated to reflect that this action has been taken. Managers have considered the recommendation set, in relation to young people sharing a bedroom with staff when on holiday. Managers now ensure that detailed risk assessments are completed, including consultation with placing social workers and Ofsted, to ensure that the privacy of young people is respected.

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What the inspection judgements mean

The experiences and progress of children and young people are at the centre of the inspection. Inspectors will use their professional judgement to determine the weight and significance of their findings in this respect. The judgements included in the report are made against ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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What the inspection judgements mean

An outstanding children's home provides highly effective services that contribute to significantly improved outcomes for children and young people who need help and protection and care. Their progress exceeds expectations and is sustained over time. A good children's home provides effective services that help, protect and care for children and young people and have their welfare safeguarded and promoted. In a children's home that requires improvement , there are no widespread or serious failures that create or leave children being harmed or at risk of harm. The welfare of children looked after is safeguarded and promoted. Minimum requirements are in place. However, the children's home is not yet delivering good protection, help and care for children and young people. A children's home that is inadequate is providing services where there are widespread or serious failures that create or leave children and young people being

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What the inspection judgements mean

harmed or at risk of harm or that result in children looked after not having their welfare safeguarded and promoted.

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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 that 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 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

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Information about this inspection

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

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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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