Children's Home run by Brighter Pathways NW Ltd in Cheshire West and Chester

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 1 Registered provider: Brighter Pathways NW Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately run and provides care for up to two children who experience emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last full inspection, one child has moved into the home. The manager ensured she sought all relevant information and made an appropriate assessment of the child’s needs prior to them moving in. Staff have worked hard to build a positive relationship with the child. As a result, the child said he liked living in the home and scored it 8 out of 10. The manager spoke to the child currently living in the home to gain their thoughts about a new child moving in. The new child spoke about how he got on well with the child already living in the home. The two children recently enjoyed a trip together to watch their favourite football team.

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Findings from the inspection

Children are kept safe in the home. The manager and staff are clear about the risks. They assess these risks well. For example, when children are missing from home, staff took appropriate action to search for them and contacted all relevant people to locate them. When children return home, staff work with other professionals to effectively review strategies to safeguard children.

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Findings from the inspection

The staff use key-work sessions to help children to understand why people are concerned about them when they do not come home as planned, and staff explore the reasons children go missing. There has been a significant reduction in missing- from-home episodes since moving into the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager actively challenges partner agencies when they feel that children’s needs are not being met. She escalates concerns when appropriate to do so.

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Findings from the inspection

There are good-quality risk management plans in place that identify children’s risks. These plans provide staff with the necessary strategies to minimise potential dangers and protect children. They are regularly updated.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is well respected by the staff, who say she is approachable and always available. Staff say they like working in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

There have been improvements in the electronic recording systems since the last inspection, and all information is now more easily accessible. Internal monitoring is used to identify any strengths and areas for development. There have also been improvements in the quality and timeliness of reports provided by a new independent person.

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Findings from the inspection

Children enjoy consistent care from a dedicated and stable staff team. There has been one staff member recruited since the last inspection. The manager ensured that this person was thoroughly vetted in line with safer recruitment procedures. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 3 Managers and staff have received training in a wide range of topics, including substance misuse, gangs and knife crime.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers and staff listen to the children’s views and consider their wishes and feelings daily. This promotes the children’s development and progress.

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Findings from the inspection

Seven out of the eight previous requirements were looked at during this inspection and found to have been met. One requirement was not looked at during this visit and will be assessed at the next full inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 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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Requirement Due date

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 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.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)) 13 February 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 6 This specifically relates to ensuring that any restraints that take place are documented fully with the date, time and location of the hold, the description of the measure and the duration of the hold. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Brighter Pathways NW Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Office 3, 3rd Floor, 21 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, Merseyside L3 9BS

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2811131 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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