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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC428700 1 SC428700 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

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There has been no registered manager at the home since 28 November 2024. The manager in post has not yet applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, four children were living in the home.

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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: 17 October 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: SC428700 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/10/2023 Full Good 12/09/2022 Full Good 19/01/2022 Full Good 23/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC428700 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke to three children living at the home during this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff provide children with structure, boundaries, and consistent, nurturing care to meet their individual needs. Children benefit from positive relationships with staff. They actively seek the staff out to spend time with them, and one child was observed to offer and receive hugs from a member of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child is in full-time education, whereas three children are not receiving the educational hours that they are entitled to. The manager has been proactive in liaising with the appropriate authorities to raise this and advocate for a provision that can meet the children’s needs. Staff and the manager support children to engage in informal education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in a range of activities that they have an interest in. They enjoy ice skating, horse riding, rollerblading and going to play areas. Children also participate in activities at the home where they spend time together and build relationships with each other.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s voices are heard. Their feelings and wishes are captured during children’s meetings, where they have an input into changes in the home, such as the redecoration of the home. Children are also supported to attend their statutory reviews so that they are involved in their future care planning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build positive relationships with the children’s families and support the children to spend time with their families, in line with their plans. The manager advocates for children when changes are needed to family time, in line with the child’s wishes. When talking about staff, one parent said, ‘As a team and a home, my child really has found the best carers he could have.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home needs some redecoration and new soft furnishings to make it feel more homely. The manager has a plan in place, and improvements can be seen in some areas.

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

Children are kept safer by staff who know them well and understand their risks and vulnerabilities. Staff have received safeguarding training that is specific to the children’s needs. Additionally, children have a good understanding of what the staff are worried about.

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

Staff help children to understand about appropriate relationships with others. They sensitively help children to understand a range of boundaries and behavioural expectations. Staff work in partnership with the children to understand their beliefs and Inspection report for children’s home: SC428700 4 views. They support the children to promote a healthier way of thinking to lead to safer behaviours and relationships. However, children have not always experienced good relationships with each other. Although staff have dealt with this at the time, children would benefit from some support around developing an understanding of expressing empathy towards each other.

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

On two occasions, children have gone missing from the home. On these occasions, they experienced a good response from staff and the police, in line with their risk assessments and care plans. Children can speak to someone independent when they return to the home.

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

Allegations are managed appropriately. Children are listened to and informed of the outcomes.

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

When children have self-harming behaviours, they receive a caring response from staff who express empathy and warmth towards the child. Children are supported by staff to access the relevant emotional support that they need. One parent said, ‘My child’s mental health is much calmer now and they are more bubbly in themself.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a period of significant changes in the staff team due to the manager and several members of staff leaving. There is a new manager in post, who is ambitious about the quality of care and the experiences that the children receive. Staff say that they feel supported by the manager and that she is present in the home to support them when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a positive child-centred approach, which is reflected across the staff team. The children have a good relationship with the manager, often seeking her out to spend time with her.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager values the staff and provides them with consistent leadership and support through regular supervision sessions where they can discuss their needs and reflect on their progress. Furthermore, team meetings are held regularly and are reflective and child focused. These meetings allow the staff an opportunity to engage in collaborative discussions about how they can further promote positive care for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular audits take place, and the manager has good oversight of the home and what is happening. She is responsive to any changes that are needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

One member of staff said, ‘The atmosphere at [name of home] truly feels like a family, which sets it apart from other homes I have worked in.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC428700 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(e)) 30 March 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets children’s needs. In most cases, children’s homes should be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children are supported to develop understanding and empathy towards each other. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the positive relationship standards’, page 38, paragraph 8.11)

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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: SC428700 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: Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

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Inspectors

Angela Ross, Social Care Inspector Ladean Wilson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC428700 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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