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 full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the requirements and recommendations raised at the last full inspection have been fully met. This demonstrates the home’s ability to improve. The manager’s attention to detail means that rather than just improving supervision on a superficial level, she has implemented new processes that fully link with regulation and build staff members confidence and abilities. This further benefits young people who are cared for by staff whose morale is high and have confidence in their abilities as practitioners. A staff member said, ‘Just lately it’s been absolutely brilliant staff team wise. Our atmosphere has lifted and the changes (Manager’s name) has brought and the way she works is uplifting and positive.’ External monitoring reports are of an extremely high standard. They effectively demonstrate the safeguards for young people and how their well-being is being promoted. The newly introduced care plans and care folders ensure that all young people are

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

not only aware of what is in their records, but actively contribute to their content. This ensures their voices are heard and they are confident to express their wishes. A young person reported to the external visitor, ‘I have been asked what I want to be in my plan and my key workers talk about things to me all the time. My life used to have lots of bends in it but now it’s a straight line. Everything is good here.’ Since the last inspection the proactive manager has joined the local Parish Council. She states that being involved in the community in this way, ‘Gives me the opportunity to dispel fears about children in children’s homes and it restores some faith in the locality. It gives me up to date information on what is happening in the community so I can put more safeguards in place.’ For example, she learnt of the existence of a factory locally producing ‘legal highs’. As a result of this involvement

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

she has arranged for young people, and staff to have further awareness raising and training on the subject. These measures enhances young people’s sense of inclusion while offering further protection. There has been one staff disciplinary issue since the last inspection. Records evidence that the manager dealt with the matter thoroughly and effectively. As a result young people remained protected while maintaining their quality of care. In addition, the regulator received appropriate notifications. Young people are thriving as their needs are carefully identified and met. There has been one new resident since the last inspection. After further assessments it was decide that this was not the appropriate home for him. The resilient manager and staff team worked carefully with partner agencies to provide a more suitable placement for him. This demonstrates the home’s commitment to ensuring that young people receive every opportunity to achieve their full potential. A staff

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

member said, ‘We treat every child individually and meet their individual needs to the best of our ability.’ All of the young people in the home are attending appropriate education provisions. They are aspirational to achieve academic qualifications and move on to apprenticeships or further education. A study room gives them further space in which to complete homework or to undertake work during school hours if they are not in school. For example, if they have a day’s exclusion. The proactive staff team work with them, as good parents would, to encourage their interest in learning. This enhances young people’s future life chances and employment opportunities. A social worker wrote, ‘‘I am of the opinion that (Name) receives an excellent standard of care.’ Young people feel secure and valued. Their trust in the staff allow them to explore their individual identities. Proactive contacts made with specialist agencies ensure

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

that they are able to make sense of confusing feelings and meet with other young people with the same experiences. For example, those supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people. Young people feel included and are developing a sense of who they are which enriches their lives. A young person said, ‘I can’t think of anything they could do to make the home better.’ Young people report that they are, and feel safe. Much improved individual risk assessments clearly identify vulnerabilities and how to meet them. In addition, the consistent application of comprehensive behaviour management plans allow for inappropriate behaviours to be planned for and deflected. Consequently, young people behave appropriately and there has not been any need for physical intervention. The good relationships they have with staff and their sense of security and belonging in the home mean that for the most part young people do not go

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

missing. Good partnership working with local and specialist police officers mean that locally agreed protocols are effectively applied providing further safeguards if young people were to be absent. In addition, the proactive manager arranged for joint strategy meetings to be held in respect of a young person who was perceived to be putting himself at risk while he was absent. Ofsted were not notified in line with legislation although all other interested parties were kept informed of these concerns. This does not provide the regulator with the opportunity to have an overview. The enthusiastic and committed staff team are good role models. Young people learn the benefits of positive behaviours through observing staff and by the consistent use of positive rewards and sanctions. The careful recording of these events and discussion with young people empower them to understand the consequences of their actions. Young people report that they have, ‘Learnt my

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

lesson’, ‘I won’t do it again’ and ‘I’m happy.’ Bespoke training for staff ensures that they have the skills necessary to address particular risks faced, or posed, by the young people in their care. Young people’s lives are enriched as a result of all of their holistic needs being met. A specialist police officer reported, ‘They have given him a home for probably the first time in his life. They have shown him how to behave appropriately, given him somewhere he is valued, taught him some important core values and given him a place where he feels safe.’

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Information about this children's home

The children's home is provided by a private company and cares for up to six children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties. Most children and young people are cared for in the main house but one young person is also cared for in a detached bungalow situated in the rear garden.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

05/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

04/11/2013 Interim Satisfactory progress

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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

The registered person must notify the HMCI without delay if an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4) (b)) 20/04/2016

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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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