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

Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 1 SC417351 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home, which is run by a private organisation, provides care for up to three children. The home‟s mission is to ensure that every child who comes to live at the home is safe and free from harm. The registered manager has been in post since 31 October 2017.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children make steady progress in some areas of their lives against their starting points following admission to the home. Children who previously refused to attend school, and those whose attendance was intermittent, now attend school. All of the children spoke proudly of their achievements in education since coming to live at this home. This demonstrates that some children are starting to realise that their life chances can be improved through their education. Children receive support from staff to develop independence and life skills that are relevant to their age, level of understanding and ability. This means that children learn some of the essential skills that will support their day-to-day needs and a successful transition into adulthood. For some children, these steps are small but highly significant. Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 2 Children live in a caring and warm environment. The children‟s bedrooms are clean,

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

adequately furnished and personalised and reflect their individual tastes and personalities. However, some areas are not well maintained. The kitchen looks worn and tired and is in need of repair. The staff office needs the carpet replacing to prevent trip hazards, and a bed that is in clear view and used as a seating area in one of the offices needs dressing. Staff work effectively with other professionals such as the police and social workers. The staff are proactive in seeking the views of other professionals for advice and guidance when required. The staff have a good understanding of safeguarding practice. However, the deputy manager has not received the appropriate level of safeguarding training to enable him to deputise effectively in the absence of the registered manager. The manager ensures that there are individualised risk assessments to help inform staff about the issues that are pertinent to each child. Children‟s files and records are well

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

organised and continually monitored and updated so that they remain relevant. Staff are trained in the appropriate use of physical restraint, which is only ever used as a last resort to safeguard children. The records of physical restraint and incidents are exceptional, ensuring that all avenues that are used to safeguard children are recorded. There have been no physical restraints since the last inspection, and there is notable progress in the reduction of incidents. Positive praise is used constructively to reward children for their individual achievements, which has led to an increase in positive behaviour. Sanctions, when used, are proportionate and fair. Children said that they feel safe most of the time. Staff have a good understanding of areas of risk because of the individual missing-from-home plans, which are regularly reviewed and updated in response to any incident. These plans help staff to keep

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

children safe. Staff receive regular supervision and training. However, one member of staff has not completed a relevant level 3 qualification within the required timescale. This shortfall has no direct impact on the care of the children. Visits by an independent person provide detailed and impartial scrutiny of the running of the home. The independent person‟s reports reflect children‟s progress and experiences and include the views of children about living at the home. However, senior managers have failed to ensure that the reports are sent to Ofsted. This shortfall does not enable Ofsted to have a current view of the quality of care at the home. One of the four requirements and three recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met to a satisfactory standard. Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/05/2018 Full Good 04/10/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/01/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/06/2016 Full Good

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who— understand the children‟s home‟s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; and use this understanding to deliver care that meets children‟s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to— meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)(i)) In particular, take action to improve the kitchen and replace the torn carpet in the staff office. 31/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children‟s home that— helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 31/01/2019 Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 4 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(2)(c)) In particular, ensure that the deputy manager receives relevant training in safeguarding children. For the purposes of paragraph (3)(b), an individual who works in the home in a care role has the appropriate qualification if, by the relevant date, the individual has attained— the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

The relevant date is— in the case of an individual who starts working in a care role in a home after 1st April 2014, the date which falls 2 years after the date on which the individual started working in a care role in a home; or in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016. (Regulation 32 (4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)) 31/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must provide a copy of the independent person‟s report to HMCI. (Regulation 44 (7)(a)) 31/01/2019

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom 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

Using the „Social care common inspection framework‟, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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‟. Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Minton Place, Victoria Street, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1EG

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Inspector

Cathy Russell: social care inspector Inspection report children‟s home: SC417351 6 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children‟s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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