Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited in Rotherham

Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run and provides care and accommodation for four children or young people who require care and support to deal with their emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

This home was registered with Ofsted in August 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: Not previously inspected

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Not previously inspected

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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:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

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. Assurance visit report: 2593651 2

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The care of children

The children and young people have established strong and positive relationships with the staff. This has assisted the children and young people to settle into their new home and feel a sense of belonging.

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The care of children

The children and young people have made progress in their education and health and in working towards their independence. Well-documented care plans support the staff in delivering individualised care.

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The care of children

The commitment from the staff team has helped the children and young people to continue to learn throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff have helped children and young people with their online learning and have transported them to and from school. For one child, maintaining their school placement has helped them to maintain friendships and consistency in learning.

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The care of children

The children and young people enjoy seeing and speaking to their family. The staff have made sure that contact with those who are important to the children and young people has been maintained throughout the pandemic.

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The care of children

A therapeutic care approach is used in consultation with specialist mental health professionals. As such, the staff have a comprehensive understanding of the children’s and young people’s needs. This has helped the children and young people to understand their feelings about past events that have had a negative impact on their lives.

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The safety of children

Significant importance is given to the safety and protection of the children and young people. Robust and detailed risk assessments inform staff practice. The support, care and identified strategies are fully implemented. In addition, there is excellent collaborative working with professionals and other supporting agencies. The utmost priority is given to ensuring that the children and young people are better protected.

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The safety of children

There has been a high number of physical interventions, with most being low-level holds. These have been proportionate for the presenting behaviour. Review and reflection take place frequently, to identify the best way to support the children and young people in the future. The manager makes changes to the care and support strategies to make certain that the needs of the children and young people are fully met.

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Leaders and managers

The manager has worked at this home since it was registered in July 2020. He leads the home with enthusiasm and has quickly developed a culture of high Assurance visit report: 2593651 3 aspirations in providing a nurturing and therapeutic environment for the children and young people in his care.

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Leaders and managers

The manager leads a committed staff team whose members work collectively to ensure that they respond to, and care for the children and young people consistently, in accordance with their care plans and risk assessments.

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Leaders and managers

Supervisions and team meetings are regular and provide formal support to a relatively new staff team. The staff speak highly of the manager and senior team, stating that the support and guidance given to them are ‘first-rate’. This level of support helps to create a positive atmosphere and generates good staff morale.

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Leaders and managers

Social workers state that partnership working with the manager and the staff team is excellent. Regular communication from the manager and staff team ensures that the social worker for each child is kept up to date. This ensures that social workers are well informed about the progress and any matters of concern about the child or young person.

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Leaders and managers

The manager uses evaluation and monitoring tools to inform good practice. There is a robust response to safeguarding matters. He is child centred, has a visual presence in the home and provides a good role model for the staff, and the children and the young people.

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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 & Education Ltd, 1 Merchants Place River Street, Bolton, Lancashire BL2 1BX

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Inspectors

Catherine Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2593651 4 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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