Children's Home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Walsall

Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 1 Registered provider : Pathways Care Group

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children from seven to 17 years old with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 6 and 7 December 2021. Following this monitoring visit, we have made a new full inspection judgement in line with our inspection framework. The children’s home’s new full inspection judgement is: requires improvement to be good.

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This monitoring visit

The home was previously judged inadequate due to significant concerns regarding the home’s safeguarding practice. As a result, a compliance notice was issued in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children standard. In addition, four requirements were raised and two recommendations were made.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has taken action to develop staff’s understanding of risk using a number of different approaches. The manager has put in place weekly team meetings and team around the child meetings to support the development of staff’s knowledge about the children. Staff have attended further training in areas including risk management and understanding behaviours. As a result, children are cared for by staff who understand their needs and how to keep them safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff’s understanding of how to support children with their behaviour has improved. The manager has carried out a thorough review of staff’s understanding of the Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 2 home’s behaviour management policies and has successfully used the findings to develop staff practice. As a result, staff are better skilled and more confident in intervening when children are displaying aggressive behaviours or putting themselves or others at risk.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has ensured that children’s risk assessments now provide clear guidance to staff. Staff now understand the individual approaches they must implement to keep children safe. As a result, staff now support children when they experience difficulties effectively and take action to increase children’s safety.

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This monitoring visit

After an incident takes place, managers now carry out thorough debriefs with staff which encourages staff to reflect and make improvements to their practice. In addition, staff now also ensure that they talk with all the children individually to explore their experiences of the event, even if they were not directly involved. This helps staff to have a good understanding of children’s experiences so that they can take action to address any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

Managers now respond to and investigate allegations thoroughly. They liaise with social workers and the local authority designated officer. This ensures that there is external scrutiny of safeguarding measures in the home. However, Ofsted is not always notified about allegations against staff. This hinders the regulator’s oversight of safeguarding practice.

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This monitoring visit

Staff actively encourage children to share their views, wishes and feelings. Managers have responded to children’s requests; for example, the children asked for double beds and these have now been provided. As a result, children feel listened to and valued.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, managers and staff ensure that children’s case records are accurate. However, on occasion, the information recorded does not accurately reflect the discussions held with children. This can affect the children’s understanding of their experiences.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has taken steps to address the majority of requirements and recommendations issued at the previous inspection. Managers are now escalating concerns with the placing authority when a return home interview has not taken place with a child or when the children are not in full-time education. There is now a delegated authority in place for each child so that staff are clear on their own and other professional’s decision-making responsibilities. The home environment is now homely and welcoming. This provides children with a positive environment to live in. The remaining requirement outstanding from the last inspection regarding the provider’s quality-of-care report is restated. This is because the report is not yet due to be completed.

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This monitoring visit

The manager knows the strengths and weaknesses of the home. She is taking action to improve the performance of the staff team. Also, senior leaders in the Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 3 organisation are providing additional support. As a result, the quality of care and safety of children have improved since the last inspection.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/12/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 4

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there. (Regulation (40) (4)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager is to ensure that allegations made about a staff member are notified to Ofsted. 1 April 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it. (Regulation (45) (1) (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered manager is to ensure that the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive are included in the review. 1 April 2022

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4) Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 5

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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.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olubunmi Fabusuyi

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Inspector

Melanie Griffin, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home - monitoring visit: 2622077 6 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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