Children's home run by Pathway Children’s Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 1 Registered provider: Pathway Children’s Services Ltd

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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 registered to care for up to four children with learning disabilities. It is part of a private organisation that has other registered homes for both children and adults. Two children were living at the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home has been without a registered manager since 26 July 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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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 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: 2687885 2

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Findings from the inspection

We identified serious and widespread concerns in relation to the care and protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is without a registered manager. The previous responsible individual did not have the knowledge of the Children’s Homes Regulations to support the appropriate running and practice in the home. Following the last full inspection in August 2024, the manager and responsible individual have left their role.

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Findings from the inspection

There are insufficient staff during the night and in the morning to consistently meet the identified support needs of one child. Consequently, children do not receive the support that they require.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers do not have sufficient oversight of the home, or the quality of care provided and the support and care needs of the children. Therefore, they have failed to identify the concerns identified at this inspection. For example, managers and staff lack understanding about children’s food allergies. Consequently, food that children are allergic to is readily accessible to them. Additionally, managers and staff do not understand the impact and severity of children’s allergies. This means that they are unable to mitigate these risks effectively.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers’ oversight of staff training is poor. They did not respond swiftly when they thought that staff did not have suitable training to administer emergency medication should a child have a life-threatening allergic reaction. However, the inspection found that some staff did have this training, unbeknown to leaders and managers. This lack of clarity raises further concerns about whether staff can meet children’s health needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s plans do not contain the information required, particularly about their health needs and the impact of their allergies. Additionally, plans have not been reviewed and updated as the children’s needs have changed, or in line with the organisation processes. Therefore, staff do not have ready access to the most up-to- date information to be able to care for children consistently.

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Findings from the inspection

Two safeguarding concerns have not been responded to swiftly or in a way that protects children. Records of a disclosure by a child do not detail when staff and managers first became aware of the concern, and there is no evidence of the follow- up action taken. Additionally, a safeguarding concern about a former member of staff has not been followed up with the necessary urgency. Managers were not clear on the process to follow to determine the facts or how to protect a child from harm. Consequently, actions to address concerns have been delayed and information was not shared with relevant safeguarding partners.

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Findings from the inspection

The home environment has improved slightly since the last inspection. However, it was noted that two spindles were missing on the stairs, curtains either do not fit the Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 3 windows or were missing in the lounge, the damp issue in a child’s bedroom has not been rectified since the last inspection, and walls are damaged.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers did not seek input from external agencies quickly enough when a new child moved into the home. This includes consideration from a health professional of protective equipment that the child may need when they harm themselves. This lack of input has contributed to the poor understanding that staff have in relation to managing these behaviours effectively. This is of particular concern, as the child has been living in the home for four months.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff do not have the required training, knowledge or guidance about how to support children when they are upset and distressed.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders have failed to address many of the shortfalls identified at the previous inspection, and new shortfalls have also been identified.

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Findings from the inspection

Children were seen to be happy and enjoying their interactions with staff, who clearly want the best for children, but who lack consistency and direction from leaders and managers. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/08/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/05/2024 Full Inadequate 30/08/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)(e)(h)) 9 March 2025*

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Requirement Due date

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

that staff help each child to— 9 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 6 achieve the health and well-being outcomes that are recorded in the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that managers and staff understand children’s allergies and the impact of these and take action when needed.

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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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that safeguarding concerns are acted on and reported to partner agencies in a timely manner. Also, ensure that records are clear and detail the action taken, and that managers know the processes to follow when a safeguarding concern is raised. 9 March 2025

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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

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare;

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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)(Vi)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that damp is rectified, that window coverings are suitable and that, after consultation with the occupational therapist, suitable protective equipment is identified to support children who may harm themselves. 9 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 7 The care planning standard is that children receive well- planned care from the home and have a positive experience of admission and transition processes.

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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

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home. (Regulation 14 (1) (2)(b)(i))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that moves are well planned, and all relevant partner agencies have been consulted. 9 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home; and

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Requirement Due date

is not, or does not intend to be, in day-to-day charge of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(i)(ii) (2)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, to appoint a manager to manage the home. 9 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all employees—

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Requirement Due date

undertake appropriate continuing professional development. (Regulation 33 (4)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that staff have the training required to meet children’s needs, including medical needs, and behaviour support. 9 March 2025 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 8 *These requirements are subject to a compliance notice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 9

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Quadrant House, Floor 6, Thomas More Square, London E1W 1YW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Tendai Funganjera

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2687885 10 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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