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

Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 1 SC008810 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 operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home, and one child has moved in. At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home, and all three children were spoken to by the inspector.

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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: 20 January 2025

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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: SC008810 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/01/2025 Full Good 10/10/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good 05/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care from staff who know the children well and have a good understanding of their needs. When children move into the home, plans are carefully considered and child focused, helping children to settle quickly. For example, one child was able to bring their pet rabbit with them. This was important to the child and helped them to settle quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children do well in education taking into consideration their starting points when moving to the home. Two of the children are thriving in full-time education and have achieved awards for 100% attendance. Another child who was out of education prior to living at the home is engaging well in home tutoring and making progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are well met by staff. Staff ensure that children have access to appropriate healthcare services and assessments. For example, one child is being assessed for autism spectrum disorder, and a long-standing sore on their skin has now been treated effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to maintain relationships with those who are important to them. Staff drive children a considerable distance to see family who live far from the home. Some children’s relationships with family members have improved, making family time more meaningful and enjoyable.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff show genuine emotional warmth and care for the children. Children like living at the home and enjoy the relationships they have with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment needs attention in places. Despite the manager’s requests for repairs to be undertaken, there have been unnecessary delays in addressing the maintenance of the building.

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

Staff understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff teach and develop the children’s knowledge and skills in how to keep themselves safe. Risk management plans are comprehensive and include all known risks. They are reviewed regularly. They provide staff with information on the actions they should take to keep children safe.

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

Staff hold the children to prevent harm and only as a last resort. The least forceful measure used. Children and staff are spoken to afterwards, and the manager reviews each incident, using learning to improve practice.

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

Staff respond well to more difficult behaviours displayed by children, such as physical and verbal aggression. Staff implement firm behavioural boundaries with warmth and empathy, so children understand what is expected of them and what constitutes Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 4 acceptable behaviour. Staff support children to develop a greater understanding of their feelings and emotions. Overall, this helps children to develop a greater ability to self- regulate and make more positive choices.

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

Not all staff follow safeguarding procedures. There have been two occasions when staff have not followed the correct procedures following allegations of harm towards a child. This has delayed the manager’s oversight of the incidents and other agencies being informed, such as the social worker and local authority designated officer. Measures are being put in place to address this shortfall, but time is needed to embed this into care practice.

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

Allegations against staff are managed appropriately, when known, and relevant agencies informed. Necessary safeguards are put in place, such as lone-working risk assessments, and staff suspended if required. Internal investigations are undertaken by someone independent to the home, ensuring that there is appropriate scrutiny. Learning is used to improve care practice and develop the service, such as an increase in staff numbers and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is dedicated and child focused. Staff respect her leadership and feel well supported. Shortfalls in staff care practice are promptly addressed. For example, a staff member who is behind with their training is working through an agreed action plan to complete this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive training in relation to children’s needs. This ensures that staff feel competent in meeting children’s individual needs and increases their knowledge and skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has positive relationships with external professionals, such as social workers and independent reviewing officers, and parents. She communicates well and keeps everyone informed. External feedback has been unanimously positive. One parent said, ‘It’s an amazing placement.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular individual supervision, during which they are given opportunities to reflect on their care practice. There is also a strong focus on staff well-being. This has helped staff to feel valued and supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective quality assurance and monitoring systems in place. She knows what is happening in the home daily. Regular checks and audits are undertaken, and learning is used to improve the service. Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 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 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

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, this relates to staff recognising an allegation of harm and reporting through the appropriate safeguarding procedures without delay. 31 January 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff provide a nurturing environment that is welcoming and supportive. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.7)

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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: SC008810 7

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

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Inspector

Emma Dacres, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC008810 8 regulates 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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