Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited

Inspection report children's home: 1241897 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides a full-time treatment programme over 12 to 15 months for children with traumatic backgrounds, behavioural or mental health difficulties, and who have either experienced or are at risk of sexual exploitation.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children's home: 1241897 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home was judged as requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has declined in effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has addressed four of the seven requirements that were raised at the last inspection. However, significant shortfalls in safeguarding children have been identified at this inspection. The two requirements that have been raised at this inspection encompass the outstanding and newly identified shortfalls.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child has been able to store 12 litres of hazardous flammable liquids in their bedroom without question. The staff have failed to take appropriate action to remove the hazardous liquids in accordance with the child’s risk assessments. The manager and staff were aware that the child had previously stored hazardous liquid material in the bedroom. Despite this knowledge, staff did not identify the storage and purchase of these materials as a safeguarding concern. The child has purchased these materials without any challenge from the staff. This shows a lack of professional curiosity and a lack of understanding of the risks that these liquids pose. The staff have failed to explore why the child purchased these liquids. Consequently, no further action has been taken to ensure the safety of the child.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child’s bedroom had rubbish on the floor that included alcohol packaging, sweet wrappers and crisp packets. There were two lighters in the child’s bedroom. The staff have failed to notice and remove these potential hazards. Leaving these items in the child’s bedroom is not in accordance with the child’s risk assessment and fails to keep children safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff support the children to engage in education. One child’s social worker said that the child’s school attendance has improved since living at the home. Staff supported the child to produce an art portfolio and apply to a local college for a place. The manager and staff listen to children’s views and sensitively advocate for them. This helps children to feel confident to attend education and apply for further education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff vacancies have been filled. During the recruitment process, required checks have been comprehensively carried out. This ensures the suitability of new staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff receive induction and supervision in line with the home’s supervision policy. Staff said that they feel supported and listened to by managers. Training requests from staff are proactively explored and appropriate training is arranged. Staff have benefited from training that increases their knowledge and equips them with the skills to support the children’s emotional well-being. Inspection report children's home: 1241897 3 One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. Detailed information from the placing local authority was reviewed by the manager and a thorough risk assessment was made before the child moved in. Therefore, the matching of the child to the children already living at the home was effective. The new child’s social worker confirmed that the planning process was thorough and supported a smooth introduction. Consequently, the child has settled well and is making good progress.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff generally carry out regular fire drills. However, the most-recently admitted child has not participated in a full fire drill. This failure could put the child at risk of harm if there is a fire.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although a significant concern was identified at this inspection in respect of one child, risk assessments have generally improved. The manager ensures that these are now signed and dated and read by the staff. One child is supported to meet up with a friend fortnightly. The staff plan and risk assess a community activity so that the child can enjoy and benefit from supervised contact with a friend who lives a distance from the home. As a result of this, episodes of the child going missing from the home have reduced considerably.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Improvements have been made to the home’s interior since the last inspection. The manager has arranged for rooms in the home to be decorated by a local artist. The lounge area is warm and welcoming. Children are encouraged to display their artwork around the home. This supports the children’s sense of pride and belonging. Inspection report children's home: 1241897 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/07/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 19/02/2020 Full Good 11/04/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report children's home: 1241897 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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Requirement Due date

*The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day to day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

managers and all staff understand and implement risk assessments;

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Requirement Due date

all hazardous materials are stored appropriately and risk assessed; 7 February 2022 Inspection report children's home: 1241897 6 managers and staff demonstrate awareness and professional curiosity of the presenting risks for all children and take the necessary action to mitigate those risks, including through establishing the circumstances and understanding the children’s activities when not in the home;

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Requirement Due date

managers and staff help children to understand how to keep themselves safe through conversation, recorded discussion and positive role modelling.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

se monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that the environment is monitored effectively and that appropriate action is taken to remove hazards. 16 February 2022

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Requirement Due date

* This requirement is subject to a compliance notice.

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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: 1241897 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Minton Place, Victoria Street, Windsor SL4 1EG

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olubunmi Fabusuyi

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Inspector

Rachel Watkinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children's home: 1241897 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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