Children's home run by Northern Community Pathways Children’s Residential Services Ltd

Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 1 Registered provider: Northern Community Pathways Children’s Residential Services Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at this home, who participated in the inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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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.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 3 December 2024

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/12/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has remained living in the home since the last inspection. They have made exceptional progress especially in the areas of health and education. The child now attends school and staff work collaboratively with education professionals. The dedication and confidence of staff and professionals working together helps the child to thrive both academically and socially.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Even through challenging times, a consistent and collaborative approach has reinforced to the child that staff care for them and only want the very best for them. The commitment from the staff team demonstrates to the child that they are important and that they are the main priority.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff prioritise the child’s health needs and make health referrals to support the child to be on the right pathways that can meet their short and longer-term health needs. This continues to make a huge difference to the day-to-day life of the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The child has built trusting relationships with staff, and this has led to an overall sense of improved confidence and self-worth. Staff remind the child that they are loved, and positive affirmations are used as part of everyday language. Furthermore, staff respond to the child’s tactile approach, reinforcing feelings of safety alongside promoting safe personal boundaries. This sensitivity has helped to strengthen the child’s emotional security and attachments.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The home is a warm and nurturing environment where staff promote a family atmosphere. This helps the child to feel safe, valued and respected. The child responds to this consistent care and affection from staff with smiles, laughter and positive interactions. There are photographs and personal memorabilia on show around the home. This approach has reinforced to the child their sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff ensure that the child benefits from meaningful opportunities. They encourage the child to develop their own individual interests and identity. This includes enjoying activities such as rock climbing, cinema, pampering nights and things that are important to them, for example exploring religions and cultures. The child has experienced a summer holiday which they thoroughly enjoyed, and said that they would like to go again this year. The opportunities that the child is given enriches their life, and the child has everlasting memories that they can take forward into adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff are committed to helping the child build and maintain meaningful relationships with those who are important to them. This includes family members and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One professional said, ’Considering the unknowns, the manager and the staff do exceptionally well. I have worked with lots of homes, and this is definitely my number one home.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 4

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

The child said that they feel safe living in the home and that they like all the staff. Staff and the child respond to each other with warmth and in an empathetic manner demonstrating a mutual respect for each other.

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

The manager and staff show dedication to the child. Staff work hard to identify and navigate around some of the child’s complex needs. The staff team has learnt from research and training to best support the child with their everyday needs. This has been a paramount focus for them. Small wins and achievements are celebrated.

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

Staff learn daily about the complexities of working with children who have suffered trauma. They use this learning to tenaciously identify and negate any presenting risks at the earliest opportunity. This includes putting boundaries and support strategies in place that are communicated to the child in such a way that they are meaningful and that the child understands. Staff continue to show unwavering support and commitment to the child, even when they face new challenges.

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

Staff strike a good balance of being vigilant, offering a high level of supervision to keep the child safe, alongside making sure that the child has the privacy that they need. The child is able to take appropriate risks, which will allow them to learn and grow.

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

The manager and staff have demonstrated a strong and effective collaboration with statutory agencies and other professionals to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child. This includes proactive communication, timely sharing of concerns and joint planning to manage risks.

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

The child has not gone missing from the home, but on the odd occasion when the child has left the location of where they were, staff and the manager have responded quickly ensuring that the child is located and returned home safely.

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

Staff rarely need to hold the child to keep them safe. This is due to the staff’s expertise and nurturing approach. Staff effectively help the child manage emotional challenges, fostering resilience and restoring calm and clarity to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager exemplifies strong visionary leadership, creating a culture of respect and unity among his staff team, while also championing his commitment to improving life chances for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager role models a calm, respectful and child-centred approach. Staff mirror this when caring for the child. The manager ensures that every decision is firmly rooted in what is best for the child, prioritising their safety and wellbeing above all else. Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 5 Aspirational practice is evident throughout the home, with the manager and staff consistently valuing and celebrating the child’s accomplishments to promote motivation and resilience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Through robust monitoring systems, the manager demonstrates complete oversight of the child’s care, offering timely feedback and guidance to staff and external professionals to drive continuous development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager promotes a culture of learning and development. Staff receive regular supervision that is child focused. This gives them a platform for reflection and to inform their practice. The manager also holds regular reflective team meetings with staff, promoting detailed discussions about the child’s presenting behaviours. Training for staff is extensive and bespoke, reflecting the unique needs of the child. The manager uses research to learn about best practice and strengthen staff’s understanding about the child’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager places advocacy at the heart of his leadership, driving changes that reflect the child’s voice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home adheres to safer recruitment procedures when recruiting new staff, helping to ensure that they are safe and suitable to work in the home. Staff are enrolled on the relevant qualification as soon as they have passed their probationary period, and their progress is regularly monitored to ensure that they attain the qualification within the necessary time frame.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

One staff member said, ‘I could not have asked for a better boss. The manager has been absolutely amazing, the deputy is amazing and the whole staff team is supportive of each other. We work as one big family.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 6

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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: 2784656 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Northern Community Pathways Children’s Residential Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 44 Highfield Road, Blackpool FY4 2JA

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Inspector

Angela Ross, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2784656 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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