Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 1 SC410537 Registered provider: Positive Pathways Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider owns the home. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties, and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2018 and is suitably qualified.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 2

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children 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the same three young people have remained living at the home. All the young people are preparing for independent living. For example, they are learning to budget their money and cook for themselves. One young person told the inspector that she is learning to drive and is planning to sit her theory test shortly .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people remain settled, and with help from staff they feel safe. Staff continue to use key-work sessions to help young people to talk about risk and to identify strategies that help young people to remain safe now and in the future.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two young people are being helped to seek employment and learning opportunities. This means that young people are supported to reach their aspirations.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager is not afraid to challenge others to help promote positive outcomes for young people. For example, the registered manager has raised concerns about the lack of support for young people who are reaching the stages of leaving care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Despite some improvements having been made, one requirement and one recommendation are being reissued. In addition, a new requirement is also being raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although improvements have been made to ensure that staff are safely recruited, shortfalls remain. For example, the previous employment history of members of staff is still not being adequately explored. Consequently, the reasons why someone has left their role when working with children and/or vulnerable adults have not been verified.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have failed to pick up that one member of staff is outside the required timeframe for completing their required level 3 diploma in residential childcare.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have not given enough encouragement to help a young person to stay on top of cleaning out their cat’s litter tray. This has resulted in an unpleasant smell developing in the young person’s bedroom.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

More positively, young people’s care files are now up to date and reflect the young people’s healthcare needs. Maintenance work is now swiftly addressed, and fire checks are routinely carried out. Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/08/2019 Full Good 26/06/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 12/03/2018 Full Good 27/03/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 4

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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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

The requirements are that full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2.

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Requirement Due date

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—

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Requirement Due date

the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare (England) (“the Level 3 Diploma”); or

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Requirement Due date

a qualification which the registered person considers to be equivalent to the Level 3 Diploma.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

in the case of an individual who was working in a care role in a home on 1st April 2014, 1st April 2016.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may defer the relevant date if the individual—

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Requirement Due date

does not work, or has not worked, in a care role in a home for a prolonged period; or

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Requirement Due date

works, or has worked, in a care role in a home on a part- time basis.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 32(4)(a)(b)(5)(a)(b)(6)(a)(b)) 01/12/2020 Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 5

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Recommendations

 Many children placed in homes may undergo a difficult transition and what should be simple aspects of their care take on a substantial significance in this context. Staff should provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming and supportive, and that provides appropriate boundaries in relation to children’s behaviour. Homes must also meet children’s basic day-to-day needs and physical necessities. Staff should seek to meet the child’s basic needs in the way that a good parent would, recognising that many children in residential care have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met – doing so is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff care for the child and value them as an individual. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: SC410537 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Pathways Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Park Business Centre, Hastingwood Industrial Park, Wood Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands B24 9QR

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Inspector

Louise Battersby, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC410537 7 to 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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