Children's home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottingham

Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 1 SC406063 Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large private provider and is registered for up to five children and young people aged between five and 19 years. The home provides care for children and young people with physical and/or learning disabilities, such as global developmental delay, autism spectrum disorder and Asperger syndrome. It also specialises in care for children and young people with complex healthcare needs.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19, at the request of the Secretary of State, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers carried out under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF) on 17 March 2020. We returned to routine SCCIF inspections on 12 April 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 27 January 2021 to carry out a monitoring visit. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 2 December 2019 Overall judgement at last inspection: good Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/12/2019 Full Good 23/08/2018 Full Good 05/09/2017 Full Outstanding 09/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 3

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outstanding

The children who live at this home have highly complex needs. The adults caring for the children are clearly committed to their work. They are attentive towards the children; they demonstrate emotional warmth, and they are unswerving in their aspirations for the children. Staff understand the children’s needs very well. They are highly skilled in meeting the children’s healthcare, dietary and personal care needs. They are familiar with each child’s method of communication.

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outstanding

The children have benefited from having consistent carers. This is particularly important for children who require high levels of support, and who may have difficulty in communicating their needs. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staff ensured that children received the same high standards of care, despite some very difficult circumstances. Staff have rightly been recognised by senior managers for ‘going the extra mile’ during the pandemic to ensure that children were fully protected.

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outstanding

Children make very good progress at this home. All of the children are in education and staff work with multi-agency partners to secure the most suitable education provision for each child. Children have positive education experiences, and they are helped to overcome any previous anxieties about attending school or college. Staff have high expectations for the children, and they are proud of the children’s achievements. One child has moved on from school to a post-16 specialist college. This move, supported by staff, has expanded this child’s education and social opportunities. There are improved outcomes for this child in terms of confidence and independence as well as academically and socially.

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outstanding

Children enjoy a range of activities, both within the home and further afield. Staff promote a culture of inclusivity and have a ‘can do’ attitude. Children have busy, enriching days but staff also recognise that the children need periods of calm and rest. The home is already well equipped in terms of sensory, calming activities, but improvements are planned to one of the sensory rooms in the home.

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outstanding

Children’s health needs are met. Staff receive specialist training to enable them to support and care for the children safely. Staff have very recently received refresher training in gastrostomy care, and they have revisited medication administration. Medication errors are now rare, but when they have occurred, leaders and managers have responded quickly and appropriately.

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outstanding

Staff at all levels in the organisation speak knowledgably and passionately about the children. Their work is evidence-based, with a sound understanding of trauma-informed practice, attachment, gender and identity, and disability. Some children have contact with family and with people who are important to them. The care and attention given to maintaining family links are exceptional. Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 4 Children are able to communicate their wishes and preferences to staff. One-to-one sessions provide children with additional opportunities to discuss their feelings, and make choices. The sessions are also used well to promote safe internet use and fire safety. The direct work carried out with children is of exceptional quality and demonstrates a commitment to giving all of the children a strong voice.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are cared for by a consistent staff team that is appropriately skilled and experienced. Staffing ratios are also sufficient to meet the children’s needs. Consequently, staff are able to recognise when children become frustrated, upset or angry and can intervene more effectively. Behaviour is managed well and there are very few incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected staff morale and resilience. Staff spoke about periods when they have felt tired due to working long hours and having done lots of shifts to maintain a safe level of staffing. However, they have always placed the needs of the children first.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff recruitment is carried out well, with close adherence to safe recruitment practice and having all relevant information documented. Any anomalies, such as gaps in employment, are followed up and recorded. Staff describe having a thorough induction.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities and they know how to raise any concerns, including the use of whistle-blowing procedures. Any issues raised about the home and/or the quality of care provided are dealt with appropriately.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans provide staff with clear guidance around how to respond to known or emerging risks. Children’s plans are detailed and individualised. None of the children have gone missing from the home, but staff understand risks and they support children to understand risks. Direct work with children is very effective and is carried out creatively. Staff are skilled in introducing topics to children in a manner that children can engage with, and at a level each child can understand. The work with children is very well documented, and is accessible and beautifully presented.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is suitably qualified and experienced. She is supported by a very able deputy. Together, they are a highly effective management team. The responsible individual also provides good management support. She provided consistent oversight of the day-to-day running of the home through difficult periods during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers know the children exceptionally well. They hold them in mind and care for them with genuine warmth and affection. They promote a ‘family feel’ Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 5 in the home and this is welcomed by staff and by children’s families. Managers act as role models in providing high-quality care. They are dedicated and committed to improving children’s outcomes. The home environment is clean and welcoming, and the buzz of activity in the home makes it a welcoming environment. Staff say that they feel supported, and they are happy in their work. Staff use supervision to talk about the children, their work and any support needs they might have.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Strong systems are in place that enable good management oversight. Information about children and their care needs is readily accessible. Managers audit case files thoroughly and make sure that all relevant information is where it should be, and up to date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers set very high expectations for the quality of care. An example of this is the excellent communication with a child’s family, and maintaining the commitments made about video-calling over a long period of time. This is an example of care that is delivered in a thoughtful and compassionate way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A strength of the home is the use of research to inform practice. Staff are kept abreast of current research. This raises the professional status of the staff team. There are clear opportunities for career progression. Staff are provided with training, including specialist training, which is tailored to the needs of the children living at the home. Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 6

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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: SC406063 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Atria, Spa Road, Bolton BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Corrinne Barker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC406063 8 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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