Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Limited in Birmingham

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC410537 1 SC410537

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Registered provider: Positive Pathways Limited

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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 provider. It provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional needs and/or a learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2023 and is suitably qualified.

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Inspection date: 14 November 2023

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 14 November 2023

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC410537 2

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Outcome from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Since the last inspection, two children have moved into the home and two children have moved out. Two children’s placements ended abruptly, due to an escalation in unsafe behaviours for one child and for safeguarding purposes for the other child. On both occasions, this impacted on the other children living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that staff are skilled and equipped to meet all children’s needs. This enables the staff to prepare and support children well, so that their moves into and out of the home are smooth and successful. For example, one child living in the home is currently in the process of moving home to live with their family, in line with their local authority plans and their views and wishes. The manager has escalated concerns with the local authority to ensure that plans are in place to support the transition. This child has also been supported with an advocate to voice their views and wishes about the move.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a well-maintained, comfortable and homely environment. Staff work hard to create an atmosphere that is full of warmth and respect. A gate has now been fitted at the side of the home to prevent access by strangers, which has increased the security of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers now consistently escalate requests to the local authority for the children’s most up-to-date plans. Internal care planning processes are structured and well recorded, in line with the local authority plans. This promotes good-quality and consistent care.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff are now clear about their responsibilities to protect children. Staff understand the child protection policy and know how to report a safeguarding concern. The manager now has an effective system in place for recording, reporting and monitoring safeguarding concerns. Information is shared swiftly with professionals to avoid delay and to ensure that children are protected from harm. The manager takes guidance from these professionals and they work together to ensure that children are safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding records are comprehensive. They now detail the outcome of any concern, as well as further actions staff need to be aware of.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager regularly reviews the risk of bullying between children and puts measures in place to reduce these risks. Despite this, bullying or challenges in peer relationships in the home have increased. Staff proactively follow children’s plans to Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC410537 3 address concerns. Staff have also used a creative approach and strategies to promote safe and healthy relationships between the children in the home. They use planned sessions to educate children on group living and to promote positive behaviours.

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Findings from the inspection

The fire risk assessment has now been completed by a fire safety officer. All priority actions have also been completed. As a result, the home is now a safe environment for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of restraint are rare. When restraints have taken place, these have been managed well. Restraint is used as a last resort and is necessary and proportionate. Staff use de-escalation techniques to support children. The staff work well with children so that children understand behaviour that may present a risk to them. This work has supported children to become increasingly safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Safe and robust recruitment processes and practices are now in place and adhered to when recruiting new employees. Criminal checks for overseas candidates are now completed. All necessary checks are undertaken to confirm that the applicant poses no risk to children.

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Findings from the inspection

The majority of staff now hold the required qualification for residential childcare. A small number of staff are currently working to achieve this, and plans are in place to ensure that they complete this within the required timescales.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 09/08/2022 Full Good 15/02/2022 Full Good 05/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC410537 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Pathways Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Park Business Centre, Hastingwood Industrial Park, Wood Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, West Midlands B24 9QR

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Inspector

Marianne Grandfield, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC410537 5 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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