Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 1 SC051739 Registered provider: Acorn Education and Care Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned by a large private provider. It provides care and accommodation for up to three children who have emotional, social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s manager is applying to be registered.

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Inspection date: 25 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 2 November 2021

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Inspection date: 25 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 25 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 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. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has sustained effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Four of the five requirements set at the last inspection have been met. One of the two recommendations set out at the last inspection has also been met.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three children were living at the home at the time of this inspection. One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The child’s move into the home was well planned. They participated in the planning process. They visited the home and chose items for their bedrooms. This good planning supports staff to understand children’s needs and to provide high-quality care.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are happy and safe. They enjoy a wide range of activities at the home. Children are encouraged to make choices in the home. Their wishes, views and feelings are understood and acted on. Children’s attachment to staff has improved and children trust staff. As a result, children are now being more open with staff in discussing their feelings.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One child’s independent reviewing officer spoke very highly of the home and the relationship that managers and staff have built with a child, saying, ‘They clearly have his needs at the forefront of their practice. It has not been an easy placement, and he has presented with behaviours which other providers would have given up on. With patience and care, they have managed to build a positive relationship where he now feels a sense of belonging.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home provides a safe and homely environment. Staff are well trained in safeguarding, so they know how to keep children safe. Although children do not regularly go missing from the home, staff know what to do if this happens. Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are updated and reviewed regularly. There are robust internet safety strategies, so only age-appropriate music, movies and games are available to the children in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have worked hard to advocate for an appropriate full-time education provision for one child who is currently on a part-time timetable. This is due to start after the easter break. The other children attend and engage well in education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are now more consistently implementing behaviour management strategies. As a result, children have a clearer understanding of expectations and there has been a reduction in the number of incidents. Managers and staff now review and reflect on incidents. This has resulted in incidents being managed better. Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 3 The home is led by a suitably experienced manager who is in the process of registering with Ofsted. More recently, a new deputy manager has been recruited. This has improved the overall management of the home. Following the last inspection, the manager has brought about several improvements in a relatively short period of time. However, managers also recognise that their oversight and monitoring of the home need to improve so that shortfalls in practice are more quickly identified and addressed. Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

02/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/01/2020 Full Good 16/10/2018 Full Good 12/09/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 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 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

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

This relates to the manager’s oversight of the home not being effective. 01/05/2022 Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 6

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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 for children's home: SC051739 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

Pradip Panchmatia, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC051739 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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