Children's home run by Pebbles Care Limited in Leeds

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last 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

The manager has maintained the strengths of the service and taken action to make the improvements identified at the last inspection. The quality of monitoring has improved, particularly with regard to feedback from young people, their parents and placing authorities. For example, one young person’s relatives were not happy with contact arrangements and parents of another wanted more updates about their son’s care. The manager made sure these requests were met. Furthermore, parents wanted a young person placed near them when he moved out and this request was supported as well. The quality of matching when considering admitting new young people to the home has improved. This ensures that potential impact and risks of different young people living together are fully explored and management decision-making about admission is clear. Since the last inspection, one young person has recently moved into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

So far, this has been a positive move and previous risks with regards missing from home and child sexual exploitation have been minimised. The manager and registered provider are challenging both the placing authority and local authority with regards a suitable educational placement. This has been slow to co-ordinate by partner agencies. In line with a new protocol set up since the last inspection the manager has taken steps to prioritise and escalate this issue. In the mean time staff work hard to engage the young person in educational activities pending a return to college. The manager has worked closely with other placing authorities to support two young people to move on from the home in a planned way. One moved into a semi-independent placement close to his family and in line with his care plan. The other young person’s transition was more urgent due to safety issues. While at the home, the manager and staff strove hard to promote her well-being and keep her

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

free from harm until the placing authority could identify another placement. Safety of young people is given a high priority. Missing from home incidents are rare but when they do happen, practice is robust and ensures young people return safely. Risk management continues to be a strong and central part of care planning helping keep young people safe. Staffing levels are good and the manager will increase them if necessary to raise levels of supervision of young people. Staff are vigilant. For example, observing strange cars outside the home and sharing details with police and social workers; taking prompt action to reduce risks when young people go in each other’s rooms or leave the home without permission. As risks diminish, young people enjoy more free time and have responsibility for going out by themselves. This helps them develop their independence and social skills. They take part in safer and more positive social and leisure activities. They

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

go ice skating, to youth clubs, shopping and see their friends. Staff know the young people well, spend time talking to them, listening and take them out. Staff show they are interested and invested in their lives and well-being. This is reinforced with sensitivity and understanding that supports young people through difficult emotional times. As a result, staff provide young people with very positive experiences, in particular strong, trusting relationships with adults. The manager is knowledgeable about the experiences and progress of young people. She knows their individual needs well and makes sure that the care they receive is responsive to their wishes, needs and progress.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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

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

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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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