Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC410539 1 SC410539

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Positive Pathways Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home provides care and accommodation for up to three children who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

This monitoring visit was undertaken due to information received by Ofsted which suggested that children felt they were not listened to, did not feel safe and were not happy living in the home. In addition, reports received by Ofsted from the independent visitor have consistently lacked consultation with children and professionals.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, this visit was conducted through a mixture of time spent in the home and remotely reviewing evidence. The inspector examined a sample of documents, conducted interviews with the staff and spent time talking to the children. Feedback was also secured from the children’s placing local authorities.

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Information about this children’s home

There are three children living in the home. Two children have lived in the home for almost three years. One child is preparing to leave to live semi-independently.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff support children to prepare for independent living. They undertake key-work sessions with children to develop life skills such as budgeting and how to complete general household tasks. They also support children to understand how to keep themselves healthy and safe. As a result, children develop confidence and independence as they transition to adulthood.

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Information about this children’s home

Children say they like living in the home and that they are happy. Staff know the children well and form positive relationships with them. As a result, children feel listened to and cared for. One child said, ‘I feel different now from when I moved in; it feels like an actual home here.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC410539 2 Children living in the home make good progress and achieve stability. During the visit, the inspector spoke to one child’s parent, who said, ‘[Child’s name] has lived in loads of homes; they promised a lot and gave him nothing. [Name of the home] promised nothing, and he has progressed beyond what I could imagine.’

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Information about this children’s home

Children’s wishes and feelings are at the forefront of the care they receive. Staff gather children’s views in a variety of ways and incorporate them into their daily routine. For example, children attend young people’s meetings to express how they feel. They also complete monthly feedback sheets about the quality of care they receive. Children are aware of how they can make a complaint. They also take part in the staff appraisal process. As a result, children feel that their views are important and that staff value their contributions.

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Information about this children’s home

Children participate in the design and development of documents in the home, such as the children’s guide. However, the guide does not include information on how children can access advocacy; neither does it include details of the children’s commissioner.

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Information about this children’s home

Staff understand children’s emotional needs. They recognise and respond when children are feeling unhappy. Staff help children to understand their feelings. As a result, children are able to safely regulate their emotions. One child said that, since living in the home, they have been able to talk about how they feel.

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Information about this children’s home

Risk assessments are detailed and outline clear strategies which staff use to keep children safe. Staff use restorative practice when responding to children’s behaviour. Children understand the boundaries and expectations in the home. They receive rewards for their achievements in a variety of ways. For example, staff provide children with a ‘praise jar’ or a ‘praise book’. In them, staff write notes about children’s achievements. When children leave the home, they keep these as positive memories. This helps children to develop positive self-esteem and self-worth.

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Information about this children’s home

Feedback from professionals is very positive. The registered manager maintains excellent communication with them. The registered manager is proactive and advocates on behalf of children. As a result, children receive support in line with their care plans.

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Information about this children’s home

Recommendations issued at the last inspection in November 2019 will be reviewed at the next full inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 28/11/2019 Full Good 16/07/2018 Full Good 04/12/2017 Full Good 28/11/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC410539 3

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Recommendations

 The registered person should complete a risk assessment prior to staff bringing their pets into the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that the review of the quality of care takes into consideration the views of professionals and family members. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, pages 64–65, paragraph 15.2)  The registered person should ensure that the independent person appointed to carry out visits to the home does so in a way that enables them to consult with children and professionals. This includes ascertaining children’s wishes and feelings in regard to the quality of care they receive. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.5)  The registered person should include in the children’s guide details of how

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Recommendations

children can access advocacy support and the children’s commissioner. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.22)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC410539 4

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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

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC410539 5 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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