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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 1 SC406063 Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a large private provider and is registered to care for up to eight children aged between five and 18 years. The home provides care for children with physical and/or learning disabilities, such as global developmental delay and autism spectrum disorder. It also specialises in care for children with complex healthcare needs. Since the last inspection, two children have moved out of the home and one child has moved in.

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Information about this children’s home

There is no registered manager in post. An acting manager is overseeing the home and is supported daily by the provider’s head of care.

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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: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/01/2023 Full Outstanding 11/10/2021 Full Outstanding 02/12/2019 Full Good 23/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff. Staff know the children well and provide emotional warmth and care. Children enjoy doing activities with staff, such as ice skating, going to the park, and sensory play. One child enjoyed a holiday to Spain in the summer. A parent said, ‘Staff are amazing and nothing is too much trouble.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s complex health needs are well met by staff. Staff receive comprehensive training in relation to children’s needs, such as oxygen administration. When children need to stay in hospital, staff continue to provide support. This ensures continuity of care and comfort to children when they are away from the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to do well in education. Children enjoy going to school. When children have been unable to attend school, a tutor has supported them within the home. Staff have supported one child to return to school after a significant period of home tuition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves are well planned and personalised by staff. Two young people who moved to adult provisions have regular visits and contact with staff. Children who move in to the home are helped to settle. One parent said, ‘[Child’s name] has settled in so well you would think he had been there for years.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that children’s wishes and feelings are sought. Children have a say in their day-to-day care decisions. A variety of communication tools are used to help staff to ascertain children’s views. However, the home’s children’s guide is not accessible to children. It does not meet children’s communication needs. This is an area for development.

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

Staff understand the risks that children are exposed to. Risks are well considered and balanced against allowing children the opportunity to live fulfilled lives. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed and updated after every incident. They inform staff how to respond.

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

Children with varying complex needs are helped to live together safely. Staff are skilled at managing behaviours that are difficult to manage. The home uses a trauma-informed model of care. This framework guides staff in de-escalating incidents and regulating children’s emotions. As a result, physical intervention is rarely used.

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

Staff are confident in whistle-blowing procedures. Concerns are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Appropriate actions are taken by managers. This helps to safeguard children and promote good standards of care. Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 4 Staff are knowledgeable in the storage and administration of medication. However, on one occasion, staff did not follow the correct procedure and a child was administered the wrong medication. Learning has been taken from this incident. The changes implemented need time to be embedded into practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The acting manager is enthusiastic and dedicated in their role. She has high aspirations for children and believes in their potential. The manager supports children to be active in the community. For example, children have been involved in charitable events, such as sponsored walks and donating Christmas boxes for children in the community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff like working at the home and feel supported. New initiatives, such as mental health first aiders, help to support staff’s well-being. Staff also have access to a counselling service and occupational health.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular training. Skills audits are used to assess staff’s strengths and areas of focus. This helps the manager to utilise current skillsets and provide additional support in areas of shortfall. Practice research is used to inform monthly workshops for staff. Topics include trauma-informed practice and whistle-blowing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager responds appropriately to issues of poor practice. Disciplinary procedures are duly followed, and staff are supported to develop their practice. Learning from incidents is used to improve processes and staff practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has good oversight of the home. Effective monitoring and quality assurance systems are in place. The manager knows what is happening in the home daily. She is aware of the home’s strengths and areas for development. Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 5

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

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Requirement Due date

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))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that systems and processes are in place to safely manage the administration of medicine to the right child. 31 January 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s guide is age-appropriate, provided in an accessible format, and explained to each child to make sure that they understand it. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 24, paragraph 4.21)

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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: SC406063 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Charlotte Van Niekerk

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC406063 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 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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