Children's Home run by Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited in Cornwall

Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 1 SC482275 Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home cares for up to four children aged between seven and 18 who may have social and emotional needs. It is part of a large organisation.

p.1

Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Date of last inspection: 8 December 2021

p.1

Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 29 March 2022

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 2

p.1

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 improved effectiveness.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the organisation has strengthened the management and stability of the staff team. The children are now making progress in several areas of their lives. They are settled and trust the adults who care for them. This has led to the children responding positively to the arrival of a fourth child at the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff introduced the fourth child in a sensitive and caring manner. Within a few hours of his arrival, the child’s bedroom was set up with his personal items, including his favourite book on his bedside table. Managers and staff held discussions with the children before the child arrived at the home. These discussions reflected the children’s various ages and levels of understanding. For example, staff prepared a picture story to help one younger child. Managers made sure that staff were suitably trained to meet the new child’s needs, and that the arrival of another child did not affect the other children’s goals and progress at the home.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have created achievable education plans for all the children. One child now attends school on a full-time basis. There is measurable progress on his reading ability, and his social interactions are improving. This is linked to the reduction in incidents at the home. There have been none in March 2022.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have been creative in developing an education plan for another child. They have arranged a tutor in conjunction with the child remaining on roll at his local school. This is breaking down barriers to the child’s ability to engage in formal learning. A third child’s attendance at school has increased significantly from their starting point. He recently undertook mock exams in preparation for completing his course in the summer, and to help him to construct his post-16 pathway plan.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff encourage positive interactions between the children. They listen to the children and agree regular activities which appeal to the children of various ages, such as theme parks and ice skating. There is improved understanding and empathy between the children, who support each other during these outings to try new activities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work on different strategies to make sure that all the children feel that they are treated fairly. For example, staff will offer a hug to a young or teenage child if they are distressed. Managers and staff also respect the children’s wishes and their need to do some activities on their own. This can be seen from the bedtime routine of settling the younger children while the older children socialise in the living room. Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 3 Staff help the children to develop strategies to manage their behaviour. Managers are mindful of the children’s individual needs and make sure that staff receive training to meet any particular risks, for example around bullying and aggressive behaviour. They listen to staff and adapt the home’s practice to meet the children’s needs effectively. For example, staff’s working patterns have altered to reflect that the children are engaged in education during the day but require additional support

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

with bedtime routines in the evening. As a result, there have been fewer incidents of restraint.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff are now confident to use the organisation’s case management system to update the children’s plans and to give a management overview of the children’s progress. For example, staff identify patterns of behaviour and offer additional support to one child after his family visits. They accept advice from the independent person to make sure that incidents are recorded correctly on the system.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers have good working relationships with other professionals to make sure that all those involved in the care of the children provide a consistent approach to meeting the children’s needs. For example, the manager regularly speaks to one child’s school to make sure that all professionals are using similar language and responses to help the child sustain his good progress.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have met the requirements from the previous inspection. Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/06/2019 Full Good 13/12/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 16/05/2018 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 5

p.4

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.

p.5

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: SC482275 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Group Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Justine Hosking, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC482275 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7