Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children with social and emotional needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 20 May 2024. She is currently working towards her level 5 diploma in leadership and management for residential childcare.

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Information about this children’s home

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. The inspector has 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: 2633127 2

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Findings 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

The inspection was undertaken in response to concerns received by Ofsted. At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. The inspector spoke to two of the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the full inspection, one child has moved out of the home and one child has moved in. The child who moved out returned to live with their family in line with their care plan. Staff supported the child and their family to ensure that this was a smooth transition. The child’s parent said that their child had ‘come a long way’ due to the help they received when living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has recently moved into the home. Leaders and managers did not thoroughly consider the child’s needs or the known vulnerabilities of the children already living in the home before the child moved in. Consequently, they did not prepare for how this may impact on all children; incidents in the home increased and support strategies were ineffective. This unsettled the children and had a detrimental impact on their emotional well-being. However, the frequency of incidents has now been reduced, and children are more settled. This has led to a reduction in staffing levels, which reflects a more stable environment for the children.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers respond appropriately to safeguard children when they make allegations about staff. The registered manager is naturally curious and inquisitive. They recognise patterns and trends in behaviours and act on their intuition. They consider well and monitor closely the relationships between staff and children.

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Findings from the inspection

Feedback from professionals is very positive. The registered manager consults well with specialist external professionals to support children’s needs. They support staff to develop their approach when responding to children’s behaviours. They also support children to process their feelings of loss. This is helping children to build positive and trusting relationships with professionals. This also promotes a multi- agency approach to supporting children’s safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Overall, staff form positive relationships with children. Staff understand their responsibilities in relation to gaining children’s trust. Staff have sensitive discussions with children, which helps them to understand risk. Children identify staff who they can trust and who they can confide in about any worries they may have.

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Findings from the inspection

One child has recently started to attend a new school. The child had not experienced a school environment for four years. There are plans in place for the other two children to start college soon. Children also enjoy activities with staff. One child has recently started boxing and another enjoys go-karting. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 3 Staff help children to understand online safety. There are clear expectations in place about using the internet and social media. Children have mobile phone contracts and understand what they mean. This supports children to be safe when using their phone, particularly when online.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff enjoy working in the home. They show commitment and resilience. Staff receive regular supervision, coaching and training. This supports them to fulfil their role and responsibilities when caring for children.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the full inspection, the manager has strengthened the home’s monitoring systems. This helps managers to have a good understanding of the quality of care children receive. This is evident in the oversight of the home, staff and children.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are not consistent in promoting healthy lifestyles for children. It is unclear what arrangements and boundaries are in place for children who vape. There are no plans in place to help children reduce or stop vaping. Strategies are not creative or encouraging. This means that children continue to vape, sometimes in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment requires improvement. Since the full inspection, there has been no effort to make it more welcoming and homely. The decor looks tired and dated, and there are signs of damage. However, there is a plan in place for maintenance work. Children who move into the home are not supported to personalise their bedroom. This does not help them to settle in or develop a sense of belonging. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/07/2024 Full Good 01/08/2023 Full Good 06/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 14/06/2022 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 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, The 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; and

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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

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

provide to children personal items that are appropriate for their age and understanding; and

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(iv)(vii)(viii)(c)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the home provides children with a welcoming, comfortable and homely environment. This includes when they move in. The registered person must do their utmost to help and support children who are new to the home to settle in quickly. Staff must support children to personalise their bedroom to help them feel a sense of belonging. 20 December Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 6 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; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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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;

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

understand and develop skills to promote the child’s well- being. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there are plans in place that outline how staff should be supporting and promoting a healthier lifestyle for children. The manager must keep plans under review and adapt them, as necessary. 20 December

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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.

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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

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. (Regulation 14 (1)(a) (2)(a)) 20 December Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 7 In particular, children’s needs must be thoroughly considered before they move into the home. The needs of children already living in the home must be considered, as well as the stability and sufficiency of the staff team members and their skills. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Pathways Care Group, Minton Place, Victoria Street, Windsor SL4 1EG

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Inspector

Sarah Berry, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2633127 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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