Children's home run by Pathway Care Solutions Ltd in Nottingham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 1 SC357077 Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is an experienced registered manager in post.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/03/2022 Full Outstanding 27/01/2020 Full Outstanding 11/12/2018 Full Outstanding 23/01/2018 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 3

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outstanding

The quality of care and support provided to children is outstanding. Children live in a large well-decorated and comfortable home, with a strong family feel. Children have chosen how to decorate their bedrooms to reflect their chosen decor and wishes. This has added to their sense of belonging.

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outstanding

Staff apply a therapeutic parenting approach when working with the children. They use humour, curiosity and playfulness to promote a positive living environment. Observations of staff with the children show that staff truly care about the children. Parents and professionals have remarked that the children and staff are like a ‘large family’.

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outstanding

Staff recognise the importance of children attending education. All the children access a further education provision and are undertaking life-skills courses. Staff and educational professionals work collaboratively to support children’s learning. What is learned at college can then be practised in the home. This approach allows opportunities for the children to continually develop and learn new skills.

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outstanding

Staff are aspirational for the children. They want the children to take part in society and experience new things. Therefore, staff seek opportunities for the children that will allow them to do this. Staff comment that children often ‘exceed expectations’. Children achieve this through staff’s encouragement and support. Trying new activities enhances children’s life experiences. Furthermore, it helps to boost their confidence.

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outstanding

Children really enjoy spending time with their family. Staff have worked hard to show family members the best way to support the children. Working together in this way has allowed children’s relationships with their families to strengthen.

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outstanding

Children have individual discussion sessions with staff on a regular basis. These are tailored to meet the needs of the children. Staff are patient, use basic language and pictures to capture what the child has achieved in each session. Time is also taken to go through the session with the child when it has been written. This allows staff to determine if children have retained the key messages or if the subject matter must be explored again.

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outstanding

Staff know the children very well. They do all they can so that the children feel cared about. Children know that they can ask for ‘talk time’ with staff at any time. When this is requested, staff’s responses are highly nurturing and caring, and children can talk about any worries. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 4 Children feel safe living in their home. Staff know the vulnerabilities of each child and how best to protect them. Risk assessments are high quality and up to date. They capture the areas of concern regarding the children. Furthermore, staff are provided with knowledge and approaches to use when supporting children. Staff recognise the importance of these key documents and prioritise reading and signing them. Staff remain up to date with key information about children and how to protect them to remain safe.

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outstanding

Safeguarding is a key aspect of the work that staff carry out with the children. Due to the vulnerabilities of the children, staff are always keen to grasp any opportunity to explore safeguarding issues. The leadership team discusses safeguarding in team meetings and supervision meetings with staff. This has promoted a safeguarding culture in the home that supports the children to become increasingly safe.

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outstanding

Staff use their skills and experience to manage behaviour well. As a result, there are very few incidents. The home is generally a settled, calm environment. There has been one recent incident which escalated in an unforeseen way. Staff managed this safely, which ensured that children were protected from harm. The manager provided good support to children and staff following the incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an established and very proactive leadership team in the home. Leaders have a child-centred approach to care and recognise that children’s progress is unique to them. They are always seeking ways in which to improve their practice so that the children continue to exceed expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is very experienced and has a clear vision for the children in her care. She is always keen to remove barriers that exist in society so that the children can experience life to the full.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has exceptional working processes alongside quality assurance mechanisms. The manager’s oversight of the home allows all information to remain up to date. If needed, the manager will chase local authorities for information. Equally, she will advocate for the children with external professionals to promote their needs or wishes. All this work enables the team to have all they need to provide optimal care for the children and promote excellent outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team works hard to develop and sustain commendable relationships with children’s families and external agencies. Communication has been key in this area and the manager ensures that everyone is updated on a regular basis. Working this way allows individuals to feel valued and involved in the children’s care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular supervision and appraisal meetings with their manager. This provides staff with a forum to explore the impact of their work and any development opportunities. Supporting staff to develop has aided the manager in Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 5 retaining a core staff team over time. Children have then benefited from being cared for by a stable, dedicated team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Safer recruitment practices are used at the home. Staff receive a thorough induction where their progress is reviewed. Any shortfalls in practice are met with a rigorous response and difficulties are worked through in a professional and accountable way. As a result, the quality of care for children remains consistent, which helps children to thrive. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 6

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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: SC357077 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Bryn Melyn Care Limited, Atria, Spa Road, Bolton, Greater Manchester BL1 4AG

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Inspector

Lizette Watts, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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