Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Runnymede

Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 1 SC429369 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 home is run by a private company. It provides care for up to four children aged between eight and 18 years with a range of needs and learning disabilities, including autism spectrum diagnoses, social communication issues and associated behavioural and medical needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2019.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 07/07/2021 Full Good 29/08/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, two children have moved in to the home and one child has moved on from the home. There were two children living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive personalised care. Staff find creative ways to help children with daily routines. Staff understand the importance of children having independence with their personal care. Staff were observed giving children choices, being patient and kind, and genuinely showing care for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have serious and complex health needs. Staff have had appropriate training from health specialists, and understand how to respond to and manage children’s health needs. One child, when they moved in to the home, was reliant on using a wheelchair. Since living at the home, their health has significantly improved with physiotherapy and corrective walking aids. The child rarely relies on the wheelchair and has a much-improved quality of life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child attends college and the other child has an education place identified. At the time of the inspection, the child was due to start school imminently. A child’s teacher spoke highly of the home and the significant improvements that she has seen in the child’s health, well-being and confidence since they moved in to the home. The teacher said, ‘They are like a different child; it is just amazing.’ Staff have worked hard to prepare the other child for education, including a visit to the school. That child is looking forward to starting at their new school. Children are making good progress with education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to spend time with their families and friends. A parent said, ‘The staff are amazing. I cannot fault the manager.’ Children spend time with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy fun activities at the home and in the community. These include swimming, yoga, walking in parks and visiting the zoo. The manager is in the process of booking a holiday to the seaside for the children. Children have enriching experiences that help to build their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences of moving in and on from the home. They have gradual moves into the home. Staff visit children at school and the children and parents have tea visits at the home before the children move in. One child has moved on from the home. The manager advocated for the child to have a six-month plan to ensure that the child was well prepared for the move. The move was successful, and the child has written a thank you card to the manager and sent photographs of their progress. The manager still visits the child. Spending time with the child following the move means that they still have a relationship that is important to them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 4 The home is a spacious bungalow. There are photographs and children’s artwork displayed. The children have various communal rooms to enjoy, including a room with a ball pit and racing car chair. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

individual needs and tastes. The children benefit from an environment that they can thrive in.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have training in safeguarding children with disabilities. The manager regularly discusses safeguarding and uses safeguarding scenarios with staff during meetings and supervision sessions. This approach and training help to keep children safe. Social workers and parents feel assured that children are safeguarded effectively.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been some low-level physical interventions that were appropriate and necessary. A specialist positive behaviour support team reviews incidents with the manager and identifies patterns and trends. Staff are debriefed and do a lessons learned exercise following incidents. This has led to a reduction in physical interventions.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Good guidance for staff helps them to support children to manage their emotions safely. The plans are focused on positive reinforcement and distraction to avoid unwanted behaviour. Staff do not use consequences with the children due to their level of understanding. Children’s plans include how the child wants to be supported. There has been a notable decrease in unwanted behaviours.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager has ensured that there are clear safeguarding protocols and procedures to guide staff. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow the safeguarding policy or procedure. The staff did not immediately report a safeguarding concern about a child to the manager or social worker. The concern was reported, after a delay, and is currently being investigated.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The detailed location assessment includes thorough consideration to any risks to children in the local area and how the risks should be managed and reduced. However, it does not include feedback from others. This could be a missed opportunity to gather relevant information to help to inform the assessment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The experienced manager holds a relevant level 5 diploma. The manager is a positive role model to the staff. She provides excellent care for children. Staff are enthusiastic, caring and provide child-centred care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff generally have good training opportunities. Most staff hold a relevant level 3 diploma. Two staff members are working towards a diploma within the agreed timescales. However, some staff do not have training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder despite a child having a diagnosis of this condition. Some staff do not have first-aid training. Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 5 Staff say that they have regular and effective supervision. Staff have access to a clinical psychologist for additional support. Staff feel valued, supported and respected by managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a small core team and is currently using consistent agency staff regularly. The manager is in the process of employing seven new staff. The agency staff attend staff meetings and training and have supervision. Agency staff said that they have a thorough induction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A previous requirement in respect of the manager’s monitoring has not passed the time frame for completion yet. Therefore, this will be restated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 6

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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 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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare; and

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff implement the home’s safeguarding policy and procedure, and report safeguarding concerns promptly. 26 April 2023

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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 that they receive in it. (Regulation 45 (2)(b)

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 31 May 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. In particular, provide staff with training in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and first aid. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 7  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year and include feedback from relevant professionals. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)

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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: SC429369 8

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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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Inspector

Amy Miles, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC429369 9 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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