Children's Home run by Positive Pathways Solutions Ltd in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 1 Registered provider: Positive Pathways Solutions Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation. The home provides care for up to three children who may have social or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children lived 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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported well by the manager and staff, who hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs, which allows them to meet the children’s needs well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. The home is nicely decorated, and children’s bedrooms are personalised. This gives the children a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with family and friends. This provides children with an opportunity to safely maintain relationships with people who are important to them. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘Staff continue to promote family time, which is really important.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities, both inside and outside of the home. Activities include walking, visiting museums and a local horse sanctuary, playing on games consoles, and going on bike rides. This supports children to pursue their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to become more independent and develop new skills, depending on their age and understanding. Staff support children to complete tasks around the house, including laundry, cleaning their bedrooms, and cooking.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff advocate for children’s education. Children’s education is promoted, and there has been improved attendance for one child. The manager is tenacious in their attempt to engage children in education. However, there is a lack of structure to the day when children are not in school. This means there are missed opportunities to support learning in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to attend all health appointments. They complete work with the children around their emotions, health, and hygiene. However, on one occasion, medical advice was not sought when needed. This does not help to promote children’s health and well-being.

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

Staff take the time to listen to children and help them to understand their emotions. This helps the children to manage their behaviours more effectively. One social worker said, ‘We can see a huge difference.’

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

Children have individual risk assessments that are consistently reviewed and updated by the manager and staff. Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. Staff use these discussions Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 3 to increase children’s understanding and safety. Staff have a good understanding of the missing-from-home procedures.

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

There is good multi-agency working. The managers work closely with professionals to ensure that the children receive appropriate support. One child’s county line mentor said, ‘[Name of child] is content now because of the work staff have been putting in.’

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

Positive recognition and praise outweigh negative consequences. The use of natural consequences supports children to restore and rebuild relationships in the home and have a sense of ownership. However, the effectiveness of consequences is not recorded. This means that there are missed opportunities to understand any lessons learned.

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

The recruitment of staff is thorough. The manager ensures that all necessary background checks are completed. This means that the adults caring for the children are safe to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a dedicated, caring, and ambitious manager who advocates for the children. The manager has completed a leadership and management qualification. The manager ensures that she is present in the home and accessible to staff and children. The manager speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff maintain good levels of communication with other professionals. Professionals speak highly of the manager and staff. One social worker said, ‘Communication has been excellent.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervision that is in line with the home’s statement of purpose. This provides opportunities for the staff to develop their practice and ways to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings are held regularly and have links to research in practice to help support guidance and practice. They focus on children’s well-being and progress and enable staff to be reflective. One member of staff said, ‘Team meetings are well planned, and everybody’s opinion is valued .’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff complete a range of training that focuses on meeting children’s individual needs. Training includes topics such as children going missing from home, autism awareness, bereavement and loss and substance misuse. Staff apply their learning effectively in their day-to-day work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a comprehensive understanding of the home’s strengths and areas for development. Internal and external monitoring of the home is effective. However, Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 4 on one occasion, the provider did not notify Ofsted in line with regulation when a serious incident occurred. Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time, and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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the name of the person who used the measure (“the user”), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is

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Requirement Due date

authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 2 May 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 6 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that there is a detailed record of any consequences which also includes the effectiveness of the consequence.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that Ofsted is notified if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10)  The registered person should ensure that staff encourage children to take a proactive role in looking after their day-to-day health and well-being, in particular attending medical appointments and seeking medical advice around substance misuse. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 33, paragraph 7.10)  The registered person should ensure that staff support children to engage in suitable structured activities when they are not in school. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2787739 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Positive Pathways Solutions Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 97 Ribchester Road, Clayton-le-Dale, Blackburn BB1 9HT

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Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2787739 8 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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