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 judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people live in a very settled and relaxed environment, despite one young person being on the brink of moving on and another being new to the home. This is because transitions, both to and from the home, are well planned by staff. Strong relationships support young people during times of change. Staff effectively and appropriately challenge other professionals, ensuring as smooth a transition as possible.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people engage in a range of activities in both the home and the local community. Social contact with young people from other children’s homes helps young people to develop social interaction skills. One young person, previously not engaging in education, has quickly established a relationship with the home tutor, making very good progress in a short space of time. Staff pursue suitable education and training courses for all young people, working closely with a range of education providers. This ensures that young people benefit from appropriate education to meet their needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In recent months, the number of incidents has dramatically reduced. These include incidents of aggression, damage, and going missing from the home. For one young person, a change in contact arrangements has meant he no longer goes missing in order to see his family. Positive behaviour is encouraged through the use of praise and rewards. The use of sanctions reduces over time because staff work closely with young people to help them to understand the consequences of their behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people actively engage in their formal review meetings and in the running of the home. Although they may not attend formal house meetings, they share their views and opinions through conversations with staff, feedback forms, key worker sessions and consultations. Excellent, detailed, daily reports record effective consultations with young people, identifying their opinions and views on the home and their care. These views form an integral part of the monitoring by the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Monitoring is of a high quality. In addition to getting young people’s views, the manager monitors progress using monthly reports from staff, feedback from other professionals and parents, staff meetings, staff supervision, and reports from the independent visitor. A detailed improvement plan recognises the improvements already made and identifies areas to develop over the coming months.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite a number of changes to the staff team, they have gelled exceptionally well. Experienced staff share their wisdom and knowledge with new staff, which, combined with a range of training courses, ensures that young people benefit from staff who understand how best to care for them and keep them safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective partnership working promotes positive outcomes and keeps young people increasingly safe. Excellent work with the police and youth offending teams ensures that information about the risks to young people is shared appropriately.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed the two recommendations from the previous inspection. Risk assessments now clearly identify how staff are to intervene in the event of any self-harming incidents. Young people’s care plans now provide accurate and up-to-date information in all areas, ensuring that staff fully understand the needs of young people. No requirements or recommendations are made following this inspection.

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Information about this children's home

This home is registered to care for four young people who have 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 04/10/2016 Full Good 23/02/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 22/09/2015 Full Good 06/01/2015 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 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 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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