Children's Home run by New Path Residential Limited in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 1 Registered provider: New Path Residential Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned and registered to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. There were 2 children living at the home at the time of the visit.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2025.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 5 May 2026, a full inspection was undertaken on the service. Significant concerns were raised during the inspection. An inadequate judgement was given. This led to compliance notices being issued relating to regulations 12 and 13 of The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit was undertaken to assess the actions taken by the provider in response to the concerns set out in the compliance notices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Although leaders and managers have not addressed all the concerns raised at the previous inspection, there are no longer serious or widespread concerns in relation to the safety of children. There have been several improvements made, and therefore no further compliance notices have been served. One shortfall has been raised as a requirement. This will be monitored through ongoing inspection, as will the previous requirement, which was not monitored at this inspection and which has been restated.

p.1

This monitoring visit

One child has moved out since the last inspection, and no further children have moved into the home. Staff supported the child with their move. They were helped to visit and meet the new provider. This support helped ensure a smooth move.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, managers have completed work to identify gaps in staff knowledge and have taken action to address these. They used questionnaires to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 2 explore understanding and followed these up with discussion in supervisions to help improve staff knowledge. Leaders have also provided training and workshops on safeguarding practice. These actions have contributed to a reduction in incidents at the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Managers have created a more homely atmosphere for children. Staff no longer use metal detection devices or bring sniffer dogs into the home. Since removing these approaches, there have been no incidents involving children bringing dangerous items into the home and there has been no increase in substance misuse.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Physical interventions have reduced. Staff have improved their understanding of the children and use more calming and confident approaches. This has helped children to develop trust in staff and managers.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff and managers are more responsive when children go missing. Missing-from- home incidents are far less frequent. Staff now actively look for children who are missing. Staff contact people close to the children and visit areas they frequent. Leaders and managers now report incidents to Ofsted quickly and attend regular meetings to discuss concerns. Social workers said staff and managers go above and beyond at times to ensure that children return home safely.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are now more confident in supporting children who have restrictions placed on their liberty.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff support children to be busy and active in the day. One child has continued to make progress with their education. Their school’s safeguarding lead is happy with the improved levels of communication.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff now have better knowledge of how to raise concerns about the management team. Policies have been updated and signed by staff to show whom they contact to keep children safe and report unsafe practice. However, staff did not demonstrate an awareness of whom to contact outside of working hours to ensure the immediate safety of a child in their care. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 3

p.2

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/05/2026 Full Inadequate 18/02/2026 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 4

p.3

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.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.4

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(vii)) 1 August 2026

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child.

p.4

Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experience of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

p.4

Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c)(f)(h))

p.4

Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 1 August 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 5

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.5

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: New Path Residential Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 475 Victoria Avenue, Southend-On-Sea, Essex SS2 6NJ

p.6

Inspector

Dan Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2828710 7 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.

p.6

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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7