Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children with a range of complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 13 July 2021. The registered manager post is vacant. The interim manager in post at the previous inspection is no longer working for the organisation. A new interim manager has been in post since July 2022 while the home recruits a new manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

At the full inspection on 14 and 15 June 2022, the home was judged to be inadequate. Due to shortfalls in leadership and management and safeguarding, compliance notices were raised under Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard), and Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard). Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 2 Additionally, a notice of restriction of accommodation was issued to prevent the organisation moving any new children into the home.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

A monitoring visit was undertaken on 27 July 2022 to review action taken by the provider to meet the compliance notices and to ensure that it was abiding by the restriction notice.

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Enforcement action since last inspection:

Both compliance notices were met. The restriction on new children moving into the home remained in place until 9 September 2022. Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2022 Full Inadequate 12/01/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 4

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improvement to be good

Two children live in the home. A requirement was restated at the previous inspection regarding effective planning and matching of new children moving into the home. However, this has not been reviewed at this inspection because the home has been subject to a restriction notice and therefore no new children have moved into the home.

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improvement to be good

Children recognise that there has been a high turnover of managers since they have lived in the home. One child told the inspector that changes in management affects how stressed staff are and that the child can sense this. The child said that they feel the new interim manager is ‘respectful and caring’ and that she has made a positive difference to the home.

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improvement to be good

The manager has purchased and is waiting for the delivery of photo canvases of children to display in the home. Children have personalised their bedrooms. This has been a significant area of progress for one child. However, staff had not taken action to remove negative writing on one child’s bedroom wall. Redecoration was undertaken during the inspection to address this, which the child was happy with. The lock on the front door to the home is not one that would be used in a typical domestic home, as it requires a code to go in or out of the home. As a result, it does not present as homely, and although children know the code, it prevents ease of entering and leaving the home.

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improvement to be good

Children do not receive effectively planned care as managers do not have their most up-to-date professional plans. Managers fail to escalate requests for these. As a result, children’s needs are not fully understood by staff and managers, and their home plans are not aligned with professional plans. For example, minimal support has been given to one child to help them develop their independence skills, despite this being stated in their plan. Additionally, one child’s immunisations are not up to date.

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improvement to be good

Staff do not support children to have a structured routine. As a result, children have stayed up into the early hours playing on consoles and this has affected their daily routines, for instance, with some children staying in bed until the afternoon.

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improvement to be good

Staff support children’s learning well. Children’s attendance at school or college has improved from their starting points. One child said, ‘I am proud of myself because I have passed my [exams]’. Children have aspirations for their future careers, and staff talk about their abilities proudly.

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improvement to be good

Children take part in activities with staff that they enjoy. This provides children with the opportunity to gain new experiences and have fun. For example, children are planning a reward ceremony for the staff who look after them and have been on a Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 5 summer holiday. One of the children celebrated their birthday recently, and the home was decorated with banners and balloons. The children enjoyed a birthday cake, and a meal out that many of the staff attended.

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improvement to be good

The staff and managers support children to spend time with their families and friends. This includes one child staying over at their friend’s house regularly, with the agreement of professionals. As a result, children are sustaining and developing relationships with those who are important to them.

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improvement to be good

One child moved from the home more than six months ago, but their belongings are still being stored in the home. Consequently, they have been without their belongings for a long time. The manager has arranged for these to be given back to the child.

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improvement to be good

Children’s internal plans have been vastly improved to enable staff to respond to risks posed to children. The manager has set clear guidance and protocols for staff to follow. However, staff have not always done this, despite written and verbal guidance to do so. As a result, one child was not supported adequately, and it resulted in him being harmed. The manager took swift action to address poor staff practice to prevent a reoccurrence.

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improvement to be good

There has been one occasion when a child has been missing from home. When children go missing, staff continue to follow the protocol in place and liaise with professionals, police, and parents and carers, and they look for the child. However, during this time, staff spoke with the child and did not offer them adequate support and care, telling the child that they were ‘following protocol’. Consequently, steps to support the child were missed and his safety was compromised due to the responses he received.

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improvement to be good

A clinical lead meets with children regularly, and this is encouraged by staff. Children feel able to talk openly about matters that are important to them and worries they have. As a result, the clinical lead supports staff to help them understand children’s needs.

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improvement to be good

Children’s individuality is embraced. Staff support children to be themselves and embrace their unique qualities. They receive care and help that is sensitive and responsive to their identity. One child told the inspector that they felt staff supported them in this area ‘100 per cent’. As a result, children are supported to build a positive self-view, emotional resilience and a positive sense of their identity.

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improvement to be good

Children no longer receive sanctions. There is now an emphasis on positive regard for children. The manager is developing a new staff culture to help staff understand that children’s reactions and behaviours are linked to their experiences. This is an ongoing area of development for staff and is in its infancy. Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 6 Staff help children to seek professional support when they are struggling with their mental health. However, staff do not always take one child’s prescribed medication with them on outings. This omission has the potential to compromise the child’s health.

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improvement to be good

Children have access to a shed where glass doors are being stored. This poses a risk to children, in view of their known vulnerabilities. When raised with the manager, she was quick to minimise potential risk.

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improvement to be good

Parents told inspectors that their children were safe and happy, and making progress living in the home. However, they would like communication with the staff to be more frequent and consistent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The home has had inconsistent leadership and management since opening. There have been at least five different people managing the home, and only one of those in a registered manager position. This inconsistency has had a negative effect on the quality of care that children receive, and the support and guidance that staff are given to help them care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Since the previous inspection, the interim manager is no longer working in the home. Leaders took swift and appropriate action to address shortfalls and failings in the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The new interim manager has been in post since July 2022. She has moved from another setting in the organisation. She has worked hard to meet the requirements of the compliance notices raised under Regulation 12 and Regulation 13. She is child centred and has high aspirations for children. One staff member described her as ‘compassionate, understanding and thorough’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The interim manager and responsible individual are acutely aware of the shortfalls. They recognise that the staff team requires stability and guidance to help staff improve the quality of care that children receive. Ongoing training and support are required to embed good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

A new interim deputy manager is in post and is being supported in her role by the interim manager. However, neither has undertaken an induction for their new role to support the adjustment and to help them further understand their responsibilities and embed this. Leaders and managers recognise this shortfall.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Managers are aware of shortfalls, such as a failure to update the children’s guide and location risk assessment. However, they have prioritised improving the quality of care they provide children. Therefore, some documentation still requires updating.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Where staff practice has fallen short of expectations, the manager has been quick to raise this, seek advice and take appropriate action. Additionally, where concerns have arisen with an external company, she has sought guidance from the local Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 7 authority designated officer and passed her concerns directly to the company. As a result, she instils a responsive safeguarding approach to concerns, and models good practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

There has been a restriction in place preventing new children moving into the home. Leaders, managers and staff recognise have no plans to move any new children into the home. This restriction will lapse on 9 September 2022. Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 8

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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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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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

protect and promote each child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

treat each child with dignity and respect;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children living in the home the physical necessities they need in order to live there comfortably. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(ii)(iii)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff ensuring that children know they are cared for and treated respectfully.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to changing the lock on the front door to a standard domestic lock in order to support a homely environment, and ensuring that children’s bedrooms are of a good standard of decor and, where required, are re- painted swiftly. 31 October 2022

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Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

develop positive relationships with them;

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Requirement Due date

engage with them; and 31 October 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 9 take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives.

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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

keep the children’s guide and the home’s complaints procedure under review and seek children’s comments before revising either document (Regulation 7 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that the children’s guide is reviewed with children and kept up to date.

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Requirement Due date

The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services and support in relation to their health and well-being

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b) (2)(i)

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children’s health assessments being completed on time, and their immunisations being up to date. 30 September

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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—

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm; 6 September 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 10 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; and

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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.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the provider ensuring that staff understand the potential risks to children and that they follow risk assessments. This includes ensuring that the shed where glass doors are being stored is locked and is no accessed by children.

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

ensure the manager has the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child through meeting requirements specified in Regulation 28 relating to fitness of the manager for registration as required by Section 11 of the Care Standards Act 2000. 31 October 2022

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. 17 October 2022 Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 11 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(d))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring a robust matching of children to the skills and experience of the staff team in order to provide care to meet children’s individual needs, particularly where there are known diagnoses that affect their communication and behaviours.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children’s plans being readily available at the home and that staff understand and follow them.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to children’s belongings being taken with them when they leave, or returned to them without delay.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home. In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)) 6 September 2022

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development;

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Requirement Due date

receive practice-related supervision by a person with appropriate experience. (Regulation 33 (4)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to staff having regular supervision that is practice related, and receiving inductions when starting new roles. 30 September Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 12 The registered person must review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the children’s home at least once in each calendar year, taking into account the requirement in Regulation 12(2)(c) (the protection of children standard).

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Requirement Due date

When conducting the review, the registered person must consult, and take into account the views of, each relevant person. (Regulation 46 (1) (2)) 31 October 2022

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that care fosters positive relationships, encouraging strong bonds between children and staff in the home on the basis of jointly undertaken activities, shared daily life, domestic and non-domestic routines and established boundaries of acceptable behaviour. This specifically relates to children having appropriate routines and structure in line with their age and development. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 6, paragraph 1.10)  The registered person should ensure that they have a key role in seeking to develop the home’s effective working relationships with each child’s placing authority and with other relevant persons, which may include services, individuals (including parents), agencies, organisations and establishments that work with children in the local community. This specifically relates to ensuring that

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Recommendations

appropriate parents are regularly updated about their children, and the progress they are making, in addition to any concerns. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.3)

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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: 2633127 13

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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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Inspectors

Jodie Lewis, Social Care Inspector Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2633127 14 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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