Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Runnymede

Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 1 SC417031 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 home is owned and managed by a private provider to care for up to four children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an acting manager in post who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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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Inspection date: 10 January 2022

Date of last inspection: 14 September 2021

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Inspection date: 10 January 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 10 January 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

When some staff have been unable to work at the home due to being affected by COVID-19, unaffected staff have volunteered to spend additional time looking after the children. The staff say that they recognise that it is important that the children experience familiarity and continuous care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager assesses the suitability of the children who move into the home. However, guidance for the staff is occasionally vague regarding how they should mitigate any identified risks for the children. This has not led to the children experiencing harm, but it could lead to them receiving inconsistent care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff help the children to understand the rules and boundaries of the home and why these are necessary. The staff hold discussions with the children about these, so that the children can develop their understanding and become increasingly safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children who attend an education provision have good attendance. They arrive at school equipped to learn and looking well presented. The staff support a child who faces issues with attendance by encouraging them to complete home-based education provided by the child’s school. The staff help the children to understand the value of education and to develop aspirations for their future. Each child is making good progress because of this.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff share significant and pertinent information with health professionals to support effective partnership working. The staff seek guidance from health professionals to help them to understand how best to meet the children’s needs.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children receive care from staff who understand their needs. The staff have completed training to help them to develop their knowledge and ability to support children with autism spectrum disorder.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff make appropriate enquiries to help the children to have positive and safe social time with their friends. One professional said: ‘The way the staff liaise with [name of child’s] friends’ parents is excellent. It helps to give [name of child] a sense of independence.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A review of the records found that the manager acts promptly when safeguarding concerns arise and swiftly puts measures in place to help to protect the children. There has been an isolated incident that has not been notified to Ofsted. A Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 3 notification would have enabled the regulator to more promptly ensure that all the necessary actions were completed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager welcomes internal and external scrutiny and challenges appropriately when they identify that scrutiny could be more rigorous. The manager supports the staff to continually strive to improve the care that the children receive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the requirements and the recommendation that were issued at the last inspection are judged to have been met. Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/09/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/01/2020 Full Good 26/06/2018 Full Good 14/06/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should only accept placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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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: SC417031 6

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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

Paula Kelly, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC417031 7 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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