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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 1 SC461846 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Ltd 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 organisation and provides care for up to six children who have experienced trauma that has left them vulnerable.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 20 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/11/2023 Full Good 05/05/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/02/2022 Full Inadequate 28/01/2020 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Five children were living at the home at the time of the inspection. Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home. Three children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children are making good progress. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] has made such unbelievable progress. I visited a couple of weeks ago and they were a completely different person since moving into the home.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have positive relationships with the children. Children talk openly about their views, wishes and feelings with staff. Staff show empathy towards the children and offer sound advice. Children have shared many positive experiences with staff and their peers, visiting local carnivals, firework displays and trips to the beach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children have made good progress with their education. Some children who were not attending school now have full attendance. Other children have been supported to continue into further education in their chosen subjects. The staff team understands the importance of education and the part it plays in different aspects of the children’s lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is definitely making progress. Before moving to Ridgemont, they never attended school. Now [name of child] goes every day and is doing well in all subjects. [name of child] is also become more open to discussing their wishes and feelings with professionals.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have created a welcoming and homely environment. Rooms are nicely decorated, and the children are involved in the design and personalisation of their bedrooms. One child took pride in showing off their beautifully decorated room during the inspection. Staff have taken the time to paint areas in the child’s chosen colours. The garden has undergone work to make it a nice place for the children, having a freshly laid lawn for the children to enjoy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child’s bedroom has a specialised, anti-barricade door. This is not necessary for the child and significantly conflicts with the otherwise homely environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to develop their independence skills. One child has an area that encompasses a large bedroom, kitchenette, a nice seating area and an en-suite bathroom. This helps children prepare for adult life.

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

Staff understand the children well and are aware of their vulnerabilities. Staff take action to increase the children’s safety. They educate them through regular conversations and Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 4 guidance on how to keep themselves safe. Staff take children on group activities, allowing them to take measured risks.

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

The manager makes sure children complete safety programmes before taking part in certain activities. For example, children have swimming lessons to be considered safe before entering the sea with staff. Children must also complete bicycle competency courses before cycling to education provisions.

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

Staff act quickly to bring children home when they are missing. Leaders and managers hold meetings with external agencies to ensure procedures are followed to keep children safe.

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

Leaders and managers assess risks in the local and surrounding areas and make sure staff are aware of them. The local police liaison officer attends the home regularly to update the staff and managers on new and existing concerns in the community.

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

Children’s relationships with their peers have improved since the last inspection. Children who have lived there for a while have helped a recently admitted child to feel welcome and safe living at the home. On the rare occasions children have minor altercations, staff focus on restorative measures, helping the children repair relationships quickly and take responsibility.

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

Most areas of the home are well maintained and safe for children. However, the side of the house has a large, concreted area with slabs missing and the outside light not working. This means the area is unlit at night, making it unsafe for children in its current state.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are supported by a dedicated management team. The manager is suitably experienced and nearing completion of the level 5 diploma. The manager and deputy provide good oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is reflective. She sets staff clear expectations through an open and honest approach. This ensures good communication and increases the likelihood that staff can raise concerns and feel listened to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions take place regularly and are effective. Staff feel confident airing their views. When staff are struggling with areas of their practice, managers implement measures of support, and practice improves as a result.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is not afraid to challenge when she feels children are not being safeguarded by others effectively. The manager organises meetings to discuss strategies and holds agencies to account when needed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 5 The manager holds team meetings regularly, and these are well attended by staff. The manager brings the team together to discuss the children and gain feedback from staff to explore their views.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders make sure all staff have relevant training for their role. Staff have had the neccesary training and are booked to attend face-to-face training in the manager’s chosen model of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One social worker said of the management team, ‘I think they are brilliant. The management team are passionate and proud of the children and have created a loving, homely feel, with clear boundaries. They know the children well and advocate for them.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 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, 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 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

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(d)) 30 January 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and homely environment. Specially designed bedroom doors that are unnecessary should be removed to maintain the homely environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: SC461846 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Ltd

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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

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC461846 8 regulates and inspects 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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