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 improved effectiveness .

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has developed a robust assessment and matching process for children and young people referred to the provider. She has successfully met a requirement set at the last inspection around this. Consequently, when children and young people move in, there is little impact on the existing group. Positive peer relationships develop because children and young people have similar interests and take part in group activities.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager obtains from placing authorities detailed information about new admissions of children and young people. This ensures that staff have the skills to meet their identified needs. Staff have a clear knowledge of each child and young person. Newly designed, child-centred care plans provide the opportunity for children and young people to participate in care planning. This promotes understanding of their personalised care arrangements. One child said, ‘I am treated better here than I am at home.’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work effectively with education professionals, using their knowledge of local provisions, to secure the best school for children and young people. Those children and young people attending school have good attendance rates and engage well with lessons. Staff are proactive and persistent to find training courses for young people who are not in education. This has resulted in many taster days for a young person to explore his interests. Children and young people without an education placement follow a school routine. Staff keep children and young people busy and occupied. Hobbies and interests are encouraged to develop children and young people’s skills, strengths and talents.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a strong safeguarding culture. There are no missing episodes, and children and young people are not involved in offending behaviour or at risk of drug or substance misuse. Staff provide warm and nurturing care, and trusting relationships develop, enabling children and young people to discuss issues affecting their lives. Key-working sessions provide information to keep young people safe in the community. There is close working between staff and external safeguarding professionals who meet with children and young people. Consequently, information is reinforced and the risk of child sexual exploitation reduces for children and young people. A professional said, ‘Staff keep in touch. Communication is good. We have really pulled together and staff provide updates about [name of young person].’

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff were proactive in finding a music therapist for a young person who refused to engage with clinical professionals. This has helped the young person to develop self-regulation skills, resulting in their improved emotional well-being and a reduction in incidents of negative behaviour through the young person learning self-regulation skills. Staff continue to manage incidents of challenging behaviour effectively. Consequently, since the last inspection, there has only been the need for one physical intervention. One young person progress means that they were able to enjoy a music concert with staff without getting anxious or agitated by the crowds and noise. The young person told me that they were looking forward to their next concert.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work with young people to develop independent living skills. For one young person, this has resulted in trips out in the community alone. Consequently, self- esteem improves and young people become confident in travelling on public transport and going shopping. A parent said, ‘Staff manage [name of young person] really well. He has made a lot of improvement with his independence with staff brilliant at helping him.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leadership and management is strong. A capable deputy manager supports the experienced registered manager. A recommendation about staff shortages has been met, with newly recruited staff employed. New staff work alongside more experienced and long-standing staff to provide continuity of care for children and young people. The manager deals with any staff practice issues fairly and efficiently. This ensures that children and young people have a safe and improved standard of care. Staff are committed, and one staff member said, ‘We provide a friendly environment that offers consistent boundaries. We cook together, watch films together to make it just like a family home.’

p.3

Information about this children's home

The home is owned and managed by a private company. It is registered to care for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

p.4

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/11/2016 Full Good 15/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 15/12/2015 Full Good 24/03/2015 Interim Improved effectiveness

p.4

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’.

p.5

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 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.

p.5

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 .

p.5

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,

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

Information about this inspection

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

p.6

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

p.6