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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness . Children and young people continue to make progress and enjoy positive experiences. This progress is supported by the continuous encouragement and support from staff. One young person is benefiting from participating in childhood activities, such as ‘puddle jumping’ and being read a bedtime story. Another child’s free time has increased and they are enjoying attending a trampoline facility, where their friendships are flourishing. In addition, a young person went to a farm, seeing certain breeds of animals for the first time. Children and young people are protected from harm. Individual risks and vulnerabilities are clearly understood by a skilled staff team, and as a result children’s and young people’s risks have significantly reduced. One young person’s risk of child sexual exploitation has diminished and they reported: ‘I now feel safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are still not contributing to the risk assessment document. It is acknowledged that some elements of risk may be of a sensitive nature but, when appropriate, these assessments would benefit from the child’s or young person’s input. Staff are accustomed to managing children and young people who display complex behaviours and they are knowledgeable about safeguarding practice. When children and young people are missing, the staff team actively tries to find them. When there are concerns that they may harm themselves or others, staff respond appropriately. This can include the use of physical intervention. On these occasions, the manager should ensure that the records comply with the relevant regulation. If children and young people have concerns, they are able to raise complaints. The manager investigates and responds to the complaints to ensure that children and young people are happy and safe in their care. One child raised concerns about

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

their morning routine and, after investigation by the manager, changes were made. Children’s and young people’s views are highly valued, and, in response to these, the manager has changed practice in the home. For example, the staff ensure that the evening meal is ready when the children and young people return from school. This reduces snacking before dinner. Children and young people who are new to the home experience an admissions process that considers their needs. This ensures that they can settle in quickly and receive the services that they need. In addition, the manager ensures that there is a clear matching process. This helps to minimise the risk to and disruption of other children and young people in the home. Children’s and young people’s cultural needs are appropriately met. The staff have researched Romany cultural traditions and practices, to support their understanding and care practice for one young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people can and do engage well in education, but their commitment to formal education and learning can fluctuate. Staff make every effort to re-engage them and thereby secure more positive outcomes. Children and young people continue to enjoy good health. Staff work with various health professionals to achieve good emotional and physical health outcomes for children and young people. For example, one young person has stopped smoking, having had this habit since the age of eight. Improvements have been made to the records for the administration of medication. Further developments are required to ensure that staff follow the procedures currently in place. The manager regularly reviews the quality of care being provided and how this meets the needs of children and young people. This enables her to strengthen staff practice, policies and procedures. A further strength is the partnership working that exists between staff and other

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

agencies. Staff use active communication with others to ensure that clear plans and support are implemented for children and young people. In addition, the manager has actively challenged other professionals when their practice is having a negative effect on the children and young people in their care. The manager has met the majority of the recommendations raised at the last inspection. New shortfalls are identified, but these are procedural and have no impact on children and young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is owned and managed by a private company. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for four young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

03/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Statutory requirement

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that Within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (‘the authorised person’): (i) has spoken to the user about the measure; and (ii) has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and (c) within five days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35(3)(b)(c)) 30/03/2017

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further, the service should take account of the following recommendations:  Medicines must be administered in line with a medically approved protocol. Regulation 23 requires the registered person to ensure that they make suitable arrangements to manage, administer and dispose of any medication. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.15) This is with particular reference to the medication records requiring further development, specifically, ensuring that staff follow the home’s procedures for the administration of medication.  Children should be encouraged by staff to see the home’s records as ‘living documents,’ supporting them to view and contribute to a record in a way that reflects their voice on a regular basis. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 58, paragraph 11.19)

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Recommendations

This is with particular reference to children and young people contributing to their risk assessments.

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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 that 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 whom 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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