Children's Home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Essex

Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children aged between 8 and 17 who may have experienced neglect and/or emotional abuse. The children may have had a traumatic experience that has left them vulnerable and as a result may find it difficult to manage in society.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered since 2019.

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Inspection date: 10 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 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 improved 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 raised. The manager has met the requirement and two of the recommendations. Following this inspection, one of the recommendations has been repeated and another has been raised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children are nicely settled and making progress in many areas. The children’s risk-taking has reduced. They rarely go missing from the home and there are few incidents. The group dynamics work well. The children live alongside one another amicably without any bullying incidents or tension. They are relaxed and comfortable, and this helps them to build stability.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff work hard to keep the children occupied and to maintain a productive structure to their day. They encourage the children to attend school, college or work experience. One child has a tutor at the home and another child attends college. Two children started college courses in September 2019, although they failed to keep up their attendance. The staff actively seek alternative college placements, further education and paid work for children who are no longer of compulsory school age.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have built strong relationships with the children. They know the children very well and are intuitive, protective and vigilant. The staff provide close, unobtrusive supervision that reduces incidents. The staff agree strategies with the children and their social workers and relax these strategies as the children demonstrate that they understand the importance of their safety. The children trust the staff and openly share their concerns and worries with them. When the children fail to return at agreed times or leave the home without prior arrangements, they usually call the staff and arrange to be collected. The police and the children’s social workers carry out return interviews and welfare checks.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child plays football in a local team and another child likes to buy and sell items. The staff know what the children like and support their interests with transport and encouragement. This helps children to develop their interests and hobbies.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff have compiled a clear guide on how to manage children’s health needs. Information is held in one place and all staff are aware of how to manage specific health conditions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff use risk assessments and add detail and steps to minimise potential incidents. They add information about recent incidents and increased risks following any events. However, these additions are handwritten and unclear. Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 3 The ground floor is maintained well, with a good standard of decor. The sitting room has new sofas and themed decor that some of the children have chosen. The first floor has some areas that feel institutional; corridors are dark and there are cracks around the door surrounds. This fails to provide a well-decorated and homely environment throughout. Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/08/2019 Full Good 26/07/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/02/2018 Interim Declined in effectiveness 22/08/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 5

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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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Recommendations

 Provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.7) In particular, ensure that the first floor is maintained to a good standard.  Ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) In particular, ensure that the risk assessments and behaviour management plans are legible to the reader.

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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: 1230725 6

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olubunmi Fabusuyi

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Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1230725 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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