Children's Home run by Pebbles Care Limited in North Yorkshire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home has not yet had a full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have progressed from their starting point and continue to improve. They have good relationships with staff and feel consulted and listened to. This values young people and includes them in important decision making. A young person said, ‘I’ve been here for a while. There’s plenty to do so you don’t get bored. The staff are a good laugh, I think they listen to you. I told the manager I wasn’t happy about something and he sorted it out.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home accepts emergency placements, which supports vulnerable young people in times of crisis. In these circumstances the registered manager takes reasonable actions to ensure he has sufficient information to make a judgement that each young person’s needs can be met. Young people living at the home are also consulted about new admissions and their views are taken into account. This planning and preparation increases the likelihood of young people having a positive transition into their new home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are healthy and meet their developmental milestones. They access the healthcare services they need and lead an active lifestyle. Planned activities include sports, hiking and swimming and young people know about healthy living and the importance of a balanced diet. A young person said, ‘The activities are good, there’s lots to do. I really enjoy outdoor stuff and exercise.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are safe and feel safe. Staff work alongside young people to help them understand their sometimes risk taking behaviours and how to make safe, positive choices. Staff are also aware of the signs of exploitation, including e- safety, and share their knowledge and advice. A social worker said, ‘I feel the staff are good and they have been good supporting my young person. I have no concerns, I think he is safe and much safer than he was at home’. There are elements of good behaviour management such as the use of rewards to encourage young people to develop good social skills. Restraints are rarely used and when they are good record keeping enables the registered manager to monitor all physical interventions. This ensures young people’s welfare is promoted and staff deliver safe practice.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are good links with local police that demonstrate good partnership working however, there have been occasions where staff have overly relied on police to manage challenging behaviours. For example, police were contacted when a young person knocked a pan of hot water off the cooker top. No one was injured and a review of the incident concluded the act was accidental.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been instances where involving the police to manage behaviour has led to young people being arrested; and it is not always clear that staff contacted the police for the right reasons. This increases their risk of young people being unnecessarily criminalised.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home have progressed by meeting a requirement and one recommendation from the last inspection. Educational outcomes are much improved and the registered manager is better informed of the provider’s responsibility in ensuring young people have an agreed educational placement before they move to the home, or shortly thereafter. This proactive approach has led to all school age young people being in education.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation to improve the environment is not met, therefore a requirement to improve the home’s internal décor and general cleanliness is included in this report. There is a lot of internal damage such as marked and damaged walls. The front door is damaged and where two other door frames have been repaired, some time ago, these are yet to be painted.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The kitchen has broken units and the kitchen bin was broken and dirty. The two refrigerators used for young people’s food storage were unclean and none of the opened food was wrapped to keep the contents fresh; nor was any of the food items dated to show when packages were opened.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

These omissions to provide young people with a pleasant, clean, homely environment compromises their right to live in good quality accommodation.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

It was also noted that all the downstairs window have locks in place that can only be opened by staff using a fob key. There is no apparent reasoning why the windows are locked and this restriction is not in keeping with a normal domestic dwelling.

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Information about this children's home

This children’s home provides care and accommodation for 4 children with emotional and behavioural difficulties. It is operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

6: In order to meet the quality and purpose of care standard, with particular reference to ensuring the home is in a good state of repair and decorated and furnished to a high standard, the registered persons must ensure that;

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Requirement Due date

(6)(2)(c) (i) ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child. 30/04/2016

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  Ensure that just as in a family home any decisions to modify the home must only be made where this is intended to safeguard children and should not impact on their liberty. In particular, the current use of window locks on the ground floor that can only be opened by staff. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 15 paragraph 3.10)  Ensure there are reasonable, agreed procedures and guidance with the local police force on police involvement in managing behaviour and criminalisation of behaviours. Children should not be charged with offences resulting in behaviour that would not similarly lead to police involvement in a family home. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 47 paragraph 9.40 )

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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