Children's home run by Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited

Assurance visit report: SC482275 1 SC482275

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Information about this children’s home

The home is part of a large national organisation. It provides care for up to four children who may have some behavioural and/or emotional difficulties. The registered manager is currently absent from the home on planned leave, which will last for a year.

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership. This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC482275 2

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The care of children

Children have been supported well through a changing and challenging time. Alongside pressures of COVID-19, significant members of staff have moved on. This has left some children feeling sad. Positive relationships are forming between new staff and the children.

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The care of children

Children are making progress. This is most notable in respect of their emotional well-being. One is more able to manage destructive behaviours linked to their emotional distress. Another is better able to show empathy and understanding.

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The care of children

Children spend time with their family, friends and other important people. They appreciate this aspect of their care. One parent described good levels of communication. They reported a positive working relationship with staff. They feel included in all decisions in respect of their child.

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The care of children

Due to recent challenges, children do not always receive consistency from staff; boundaries have become fluid. This has led to some avoidable and serious incidents. Children’s days lack structure and routine, and clear responses from staff. The new leadership team is aware of this and has a plan in place to re-establish good, consistent parenting.

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The safety of children

Children told the inspector that they feel safe. They are confident that staff will act to keep them safe. They can identify adults who they can talk to if they have any worries or concerns.

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The safety of children

Safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately. Action is taken to ensure that risks for children are reduced. For example, when children leave without permission, staff follow them to ensure that they are safe. One parent told the inspector that they absolutely trust the staff to keep their child safe.

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The safety of children

Not all incidents are managed well. During one recent incident, staff called the police to support behaviour management. This, along with inconsistent care, has allowed children to hold the balance of power. There is a plan in place to support staff to better manage these situations.

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Leaders and managers

Previous requirements made in respect of leadership and staff supervision have not been met. These are, in the main, due to uncontrollable changes in management.

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Leaders and managers

Steps have been taken to bring some stability to the management and oversight of the home. There is now an interim manager in place who is supported by an able deputy who knows the provision well. Assurance visit report: SC482275 3 There are too many shortfalls in respect of leadership and management. A reactive, but necessary, approach has resulted in some staff in the home being prematurely promoted. This has compounded pressure on capacity. Most staff are working additional hours and are sometimes undertaking various roles.

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Leaders and managers

The new management team is realistic about the challenge that lies ahead. The focus is on supporting staff to deliver better care. The team plans to bring about much needed stability and consistency to practice. The impact of the new management team’s presence is already visible.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children's home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop resilience and skills that prepare the child to return home, to live in a new placement or to live independently as an adult; 30 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC482275 4 make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(iv)(vi)(ix))

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(h)) 30 January 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees— 30 January 2021 Assurance visit report: SC482275 5 receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(b))

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Acorn Care and Education Limited, 1 Merchants Place, River Street, Bolton, Lancashire BL2 1BX

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Inspector

Tracey Ledder, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC482275 6 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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