Children's home run by Pathways Care Group Limited

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to five children with social, emotional and/or mental health difficulties. At the time of the visit, four children were living at the home.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023. The registered manager was absent during this visit.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 21 January 2025, Ofsted undertook a monitoring visit to address specific concerns or allegations received by Ofsted. Following this visit, Ofsted served a notice restricting accommodation and a compliance notice regarding the leadership and management of the home. This monitoring visit was undertaken to monitor the steps in the compliance notice and the restriction of accommodation.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provider has made improvements since the last visit. Consequently, the steps in the compliance notice have been appropriately responded to and are fully met. In addition, the restriction of accommodation has been complied with and has now been lifted.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living at the home. However, one child is about to move, and another child is in the process of moving. Although these are unplanned moves, the changes in the group have reduced the concerns that led to children being unsafe. The dynamics between the children were not helping children to understand and reduce risk. Leaders and managers have reflected on the previous admissions of two children who came to the home within days. These decisions have been reviewed, and wider reflection has been undertaken to understand the cause of this. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 2 The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2023. The manager is currently absent and was not present during this visit. There are good interim management arrangements to cover the manager’s absence. The deputy manager is currently overseeing the day-to-day management of the home. She understands the shortfalls

p.1

This monitoring visit

and recent enforcement action and has worked with the responsible individual to address these shortfalls. This provides assurances that children are safe, and work has been undertaken to prevent any reoccurrence.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff practice concerns have led to formal action by line managers. The actions are discussed and followed up by line managers in supervision sessions. Investigations into staff practice concerns are under way. These are being investigated using a measured and thorough approach. Plans are in place to ensure staff will be provided with further support and management oversight to monitor their future practice and decision-making.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff have undertaken a range of training that reflects children’s needs and helps them to safely support children. Further training has been booked in. The training has been discussed in staff supervision sessions. This confirms staff’s understanding and knowledge of children’s individual needs and associated risk.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Children’s risk management plans have been updated in response to the risks of children having electronic cigarettes. There is a new vaping policy. A decision has been made that following concerns, vaping will not be supported or accepted. The new guidance has been shared with staff in a memo and in a team meeting.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The staff have reviewed their use of consequences. Existing consequences that spread over long periods of time have been reviewed and closed by the deputy manager. The deputy manager has good oversight of this.

p.2

This monitoring visit

When children go missing from the home, the manager reviews the incidents to ensure that staff follow the guidance in children’s risk assessments.

p.2

This monitoring visit

There is one requirement and one recommendation that have not been reviewed as part of this visit. They will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/06/2024 Full Good 03/04/2023 Full Good 05/05/2022 Full Good 05/01/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 4

p.3

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 with the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.4

Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b))

p.4

Requirement Due date

leaders and managers must ensure that all relevant information about children is monitored, assessed and reviewed before they move into the home; and

p.4

Requirement Due date

leaders and managers must implement an effective system to understand the combined risks of children living together. 14 March 2025

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the identified plans to revamp and level the garden continue at an appropriate pace. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 5

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Minton Place, Victoria Street, Windsor SL4 1EG

p.6

Inspector

Deirdra Keating, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1241897 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Inspector

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk.

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7