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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 1 SC357077 Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned and provides care for up to four children who may have learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2015.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, two children have successfully moved on from the home to adult placements. One new child has since joined the home. At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home. All the children were spoken with during the visit.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2024

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2024 Full Outstanding 14/03/2024 Full Outstanding 21/02/2023 Full Outstanding 07/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children make sustained and meaningful progress in all aspects of their lives. They quickly develop trusting and secure relationships with staff, which are maintained over time. This is the result of thorough and well-considered planning that begins prior to each child’s admission. The strong, nurturing relationships extend to families and those who are important to the children. Families speak highly of the support they receive, describing it as ‘life-changing’, and say staff help them to repair and strengthen family relationships.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff clearly understand the importance of stability for children. As a result, they maintain long-term placements, which helps prevent further disruptions and provides children with a strong sense of belonging. This stability supports children’s emotional well-being and confidence. This enables children to form secure attachments with staff and engage more positively in their development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children speak warmly and openly about the care they receive. One child said, ‘I have no words, the staff are so good. I feel that the staff love me.’ All children expressed feeling happy, safe and valued by the staff. They consistently described the staff as ‘nurturing’ and ‘caring’, highlighting the strong and trusting relationships that help them to thrive.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s health and well-being flourish in this home. Staff place a strong emphasis on creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where children thrive physically, emotionally and socially. For example, one child who previously struggled to sleep is now benefiting from consistent care and established routines, resulting in a full night’s sleep. This improvement has positively impacted their speech and cognitive development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s self-esteem is significantly strengthened through consistent support and positive reinforcement. One child, for example, is now confidently able to describe themselves as ‘beautiful’ and shows increased acceptance of compliments. Staff support children to understand and express their thoughts and feelings effectively. Children are helped to name their emotions and talk through their experiences. This enhances children’s emotional resilience, enabling them to better manage their feelings while building confidence and increasing self-awareness.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The preferred model of care practice at the home is well embedded and delivered in a way that feels natural and authentic. Children are supported to reflect, learn and grow. This is because of the consistent care and routines in place. Staff demonstrate respect, acceptance and a genuine understanding of the underlying reasons for children’s behaviours. One child said, ‘The staff help me to do what I want, but in a way that helps me to be good and do good things.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 4

p.3

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

Children consistently say they feel safe at this home. This sense of safety is evident in the way they quickly form positive and trusting relationships with staff. One child said, ‘The staff are so kind here.’ This highlights the nurturing environment that supports their well-being. Consequently, children feel emotionally secure and valued. This enables them to build self-confidence, manage their emotions more effectively and develop resilience.

p.4

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

Children are supported to understand topical and relevant issues that may affect their lives. They engage in group discussions and scenarios that address real-world concerns, such as knife and weapons awareness. These sessions are supported by meaningful one- to-one conversations to reinforce understanding. Staff recognise that children remain vulnerable to the same risks present in wider society. Sensitive topics, including sex, relationships and consent, are addressed in an age-appropriate and accessible way. As a result, children are helped to understand how to keep themselves safe.

p.4

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

Children are supported to manage risks safely. Staff recognise the importance of allowing children to develop a sense of their own safety, which is appropriate to their age and stage of development. Staff encourage children to learn practical skills, such as using their phones safely, managing their time in the community, identifying safe people and learning how to cross the road. This approach promotes independence in a safe way.

p.4

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

Children’s risk assessments are comprehensive and straightforward, providing clear guidance for staff. These are closely linked to individual behaviour support plans, which detail known triggers and the underlying reasons for behaviours. These plans also outline how staff can apply the home’s model of care to respond effectively to each child’s individual needs. This integrated approach ensures that care is consistent, proactive and promotes positive outcomes for all children.

p.4

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

The staff have not had to use physical intervention to manage children’s behaviour. This is because staff have a strong understanding of the children and can recognise early signs of distress. They respond proactively using effective de-escalation and redirection techniques. Children are helped to understand when situations may not go as planned. Staff support reflective conversations to help children work through difficulties and move forward positively.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a strong leader. She is respected and is deeply committed to the children. She takes decisive action to ensure that children’s needs are consistently met and escalates concerns when standards are not upheld. Her persistence and dedication have created a positive culture where staff remain motivated. This ensures that children receive consistent, high-quality care that supports their development and well-being.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home runs smoothly, underpinned by a strong commitment to staff development that consistently focuses on what is best for the children. The manager leads with such Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 5 confidence and skill that she makes the role appear effortless, despite the complexities involved.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals consistently speak highly of the manager and staff. One social worker commented, ‘They [the manager and staff] are incredible. My experience with them has been amazing.’ External professionals expressed confidence that children are well cared for, happy and making progress because of the support they receive at this home.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff genuinely enjoy working at the home and express a strong affection for the children. They describe a ‘family-like’ atmosphere. A high number of staff provided feedback during this inspection, demonstrating their commitment to contributing positively. They feel valued by the managers and happy in their work. Children sense this positivity and benefit from the high quality and consistency of care provided.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff speak positively about the support they receive and value their time in supervision sessions. These sessions provide an opportunity for reflection and review of practice, helping staff to identify ways to improve their interactions with children and continually enhance the quality of care. Notably, children’s feedback about staff is actively sought and incorporated into these discussions, reinforcing a strong culture of continuous improvement and ensuring the children’s voices are captured.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations were made at this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 6

p.5

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: SC357077 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathway Care Solutions Ltd

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Keys Group, Maybrook House, Third Floor, Queensway, Halesowen B63 4AH

p.7

Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC357077 8 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.7

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 . 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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8