Children's Home run by Clear Path Care Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729569 1 Registered provider: Clear Path Care 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 privately owned and provides care for up to three children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered with Ofsted in December 2023. The home’s first inspection took place in May 2024; the manager had resigned the month before. A new manager has been in post since July 2024. She has submitted her application to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 28 November 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 28 November 2024

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: 2729569 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 same three children are living in the home as at the time of the previous inspection. Children and staff have formed strong relationships and children feel a sense of belonging. Staff members understand children’s needs and how best to support them. One external professional said staff are ‘very nurturing and supportive’ and their child recognises this approach and ‘knows that staff members care about them’.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. High-quality soft furnishings and decor contribute to a nurturing atmosphere. Children are provided with activities and key events and achievements are celebrated.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager and staff seek children’s views to understand their wishes and feelings. One child uses symbols to express how they are feeling if they do not feel like talking, so staff understand how best to support them. Staff have considered other creative ways to gather children’s views, including a suggestions post box. The manager always responds to each child, and she writes to them to thank them for their involvement and feedback.

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Findings from the inspection

Two children attend school, though their progress is mixed. One child’s attendance is inconsistent while the other child is making good progress. The third child is currently out of education, having lost their place in post-16 education in October. An alternative college provision is being identified. Staff support the children who are struggling with their education to help them to overcome barriers and engage more readily in their learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, children have, on occasions, returned to the home under the influence of substances. All three children are considered to be vulnerable to exploitation. They have access to support from specialist agencies. Children’s engagement with specialist services is mixed, but one child has made significant progress from their starting point. A therapist employed by the organisation visits the home weekly and offers support to the children. Staff have received relevant training and developed positive working relationships with local treatment services and police. Staff continually encourage children to engage with professionals. The good support they provide promotes children’s safety and well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans and risks assessments are kept under review by staff and updated when needed. As a result, these documents remain accurate and provide clear guidance to staff about how best to support children. The staff’s response to children who go missing from home has been strengthened. Overall, they do all they can to locate children and return them safely home. In one incident, a member of Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729569 3 staff did not take all possible action. The manager took prompt steps to address the shortfall.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been one incident requiring physical intervention since the last inspection. The member of staff involved did not correctly identify that the guide used was a form of physical intervention. The manager identified this and took some action to address it. However, she needs to ensure that all staff understand that they must record incidents involving physically guiding children as a way of managing their behaviour to keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents of self-harm are well managed. Staff have an empathetic approach. They seek medical attention when it is required and offer comfort and nurture to children to support them.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers review staffing arrangements when they have concerns for children’s welfare. Additional staff are bought in, including waking night staff. This dynamic approach ensures that there are sufficient staff to keep all children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

The new manager has made progress towards meeting the requirements from the last inspection. Not all requirements have been met in full, but there is clear progress being made. A deputy manager has recently been appointed to support her in her leadership of the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff now receive regular supervision. However, records of these meetings are not always kept. This is an area of development where work is ongoing to ensure that clear supervision records are kept to support staff development.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers have reviewed the training needs of staff and organised training that is specific to children’s needs. Most staff have either completed this or are scheduled to do so.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff say they feel happy working in the home. They feel supported by the manager and by their colleagues. They value supervisions and feel the managers operate an open-door culture should they need any advice or support.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729569 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should maintain good employment practice by ensuring that clear records are kept of staff supervision. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1)  The registered person should ensure that behaviour management strategies to keep children safer are understood and applied by staff. In particular, staff need to understand that should they physically guide a child to help to keep them safe, this should be recorded in line with the home’s behaviour management policies as it is a form of physical intervention. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.34) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729569 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Clear Path Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 42 Hunslet Road, Burntwood WS7 9LF

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Inspector

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2729569 6 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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