Children's Home run by Pathways Care Group Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 1 Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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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 provides care for up to 4 children with learning disabilities and complex social and emotional needs. This is one of several children’s homes operated by this private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The previous manager left his role in November 2025. The current manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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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: 12 December 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

12/12/2024 Full Outstanding 01/08/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Good 03/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector saw all of the children and spoke with 2 children. No children have moved in since the last inspection. When one child moved on from the home, the manager ensured that this was done in a carefully planned way to ensure a positive ending. Staff helped the child visit their new home. The manager ensured that information was shared effectively to help the new home understand the child and their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff know the children well. The children are well cared for and make good progress due to the help and support of staff. Children learn to share with their peers and begin to take responsibility for their actions. Staff recognise and celebrate the progress the children make. This helps children to build a strong sense of personal achievement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff spend good-quality time with the children inside and outside of the home. Children enjoy positive experiences and group activities, such as trips to the local cinema, indoor trampoline parks and the beach.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop their talents and interests outside of the home. They take pride in children’s successes, celebrating sporting achievements and the development of new skills in creative activities, such as baking and crafts.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are ambitious for the children and support their educational progress well. Delays from external professionals in completing assessments mean that some children’s needs are not yet fully identified and understood. Staff proactively challenge external agencies to secure necessary support and work closely with schools to mitigate the impact of these delays on children’s academic development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children with their health and wellbeing. They ensure that the children attend regular health appointments. They help children to be more independent with their personal hygiene and self-care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is undergoing some structural and material changes. Staff listen to children’s wishes about these and make areas safe for the children to live comfortably. However, delays in completing some minor repairs mean the home does not always maintain a homely feel.

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

No children have gone missing from the home since the last inspection. Staff have forged trusting relationships with the children, which enable them to talk to staff when they are upset or distressed. Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 4 When children use unkind language toward their peers, staff intervene promptly to provide support. They use planned discussions to help children reflect on their actions and understand the impact of their words on others. Staff help the children develop more positive social interactions and rebuild fractured relationships.

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

Staff use physical intervention only when necessary to manage risk and maintain safety. Staff respond professionally to tricky situations. They prioritise de-escalation approaches by using ‘change of face’ and distraction techniques to help children regulate their emotions and return to a calm state.

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

Staff use individual planned conversations effectively to promote children’s safety and wellbeing. They use these opportunities to strengthen children’s understanding of safe relationships and provide practical guidance on managing risks online. As a result, children are more aware of how to keep themselves safe in different environments.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The previous registered manager has been promoted to the responsible individual role. The new manager was previously the deputy manager. This seamless change has provided consistency for both children and staff. The current leadership structure ensures a strong, consistent leadership and clear accountability. This in turn ensures that good standards of care are maintained. The manager has applied to register with Ofsted and is studying a relevant management qualification.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported through the management changes. Leaders and managers invest in staff development and support. Managers promote staff internally in the home. Staff say they have grown more confident since the last inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions are reflective and held regularly. Managers also hold reflective appraisals with staff. Staff feel comfortable with speaking about things that are important to them. The manager makes sure that staff have the necessary training, equipping them with the skills to support the children effectively. They arrange service-specific training for staff to further upskill them. Managers monitor to ensure that new staff are booked onto and attend relevant training sessions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are well attended and incorporate the staff and children’s views. This helps all people in the home feel listened to. When staff and children share any concerns, managers listen and address those concerns promptly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers challenge decisions made that are not in children’s best interests. They actively chase updates from placing authorities. When they are not happy with the responses from other professionals, such as social care or education, managers take this further to more senior figures in the local authority. On occasion, this has included raising issues with their local MP. Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of the children and is a homely, domestic and well-maintained environment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 1256660 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pathways Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1256660 7 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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