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

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 declined in effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One of the two recommendations made at the last inspection are not met. A further four requirements and four recommendations are made as a result of this inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The outcomes of complaints raised by young people are unclear. A lack of clarity regarding this undermines the systems designed to contribute to young people’s safety and well-being.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Outcomes for young people are mixed. This reflects an intervening period since the last inspection in which three young people were admitted, six young people were discharged and two young people were re-admitted. The home accepts emergency admissions. However, the needs of some young people are not understood well enough by the staff at the point of admission. This leads to a disruptive group dynamic. This is demonstrated through escalated levels of challenging behaviour and the premature breakdown of placement for some young people. A member of staff reflected, ‘The placing authority did not share as much information with us as they should have done.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The provider is not timely in escalating concerns about the placing social workers and managers. This means there is unnecessary delay, compounding the difficulties faced by young people. A member of staff said, ‘We were struggling with the social worker who was not responding.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of bullying are not recorded in line with the home’s anti-bullying policy and procedure. This raises doubt about the action taken by the provider to safeguard young people and address these concerns. A member of staff said, ‘A young person was being bullied a lot by the other young people.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

An effective system is not in place for staff to record the outcome of meetings that they attend regarding young people. This leaves room for inconsistency and means that staff may not be clear about their responsibilities until they receive the notes from other professionals. A member of staff said, ‘I have just been to a meeting. I have written some notes but I am not sure if I have got everything.’ Supervision is inconsistent. Staff do not always feel supported to understand, reflect on and manage young people who have complex and challenging needs, which is leaving staff feeling overwhelmed. A member of staff said, ‘Morale is low, but don’t get me wrong, staff are really passionate about their jobs.’ The manager’s review of the quality of care provided by the home is not an evaluation and does not demonstrate the views of young people. This means that opportunities to build on good practice may be overlooked. The home’s admission

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

and discharge register does not provide the required details about young people’s addresses prior to their admission to this home. This omission means that records do not stand up to retrospective scrutiny. Staff take effective action by working with other safeguarding professionals including the police at times when young people go missing or absent. This means that young people are located and returned home safe and well. A social worker said, ‘Staff managed a difficult situation really well. The transport staff listened to what they had to say and this really helped to keep the young people safe.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff use sanctions appropriately in response to young people’s behaviour. This aims to help young people reflect on the choices they make and the consequences. The occasional use of restraint keeps young people safe when their behaviour places them or others at risk. Staff only use this measure as a last resort. This helps young people to realise that their safety and well-being is a high priority for staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are good at supporting young people with their education and to maintain contact with their families. They provide young people with meaningful opportunities to take part in activities that reflect their individual interests. A young person said, ‘This is the best home.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The committed staff work effectively with other professionals to support young people who are vulnerable to child sexual exploitation. This increases the likelihood that young people engage with services to improve their understanding of how to stay safe. A visiting therapist said, ‘I have found staff to be really open to working collaboratively.’ Staff are good at keeping social workers well informed about young people’s experiences and their progress This effective joint working means that young people receive a consistent approach helping improving their future outcomes. A social worker said, ‘[Name] was very happy to return to the home. She was delighted with the reception that she got.’

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Information about this children’s home

The home is approved to accommodate up to four children or young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. It is owned and operated by a private provider.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 27/07/2016 Full Good 08/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness 14/05/2015 Full Requires improvement

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Statutory requirements

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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

11. In order to meet the positive relationship standard with particular reference to ensuring that staff follow the homes anti- bullying procedures to make clear the outcome of complaints that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

(a) mutual respect and trust; (b) an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and (c) positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

(xi) de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children;

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Requirement Due date

(xii) understand and communicate to children that bullying is unacceptable; and

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Requirement Due date

(xiii) have the skills to recognise incidents or indications of bullying and how to deal with them; and

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Requirement Due date

(b) that each child is encouraged to build and maintain positive relationships with others. 28/4/17

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Requirement Due date

14. In order to meet the care planning standard, with particular reference to ensuring the pre-admission assessments demonstrate how the needs of any child admitted in an emergency are to be met in addition to maintaining good care and support for those already living there, so that children-

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Requirement Due date

(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and 28/4/17 (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

(a) that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose. The registered person must maintain in the home the records in Schedule 4. A record in the form of a register showing in respect of each child the child’s address immediately before being accommodated in the home (Regulation 37 (1) (2) (a) Schedule 4. 1. (c)). 28/4/17

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 The registered person and the home’s staff should be familiar with the care planning process for children looked after and must assist children to prepare for meetings in relation to this. Staff should play an important role in these meetings, including supporting the child and enabling a clear understanding to be reached about the child’s views, wishes and feelings and expectations for their future. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.14). In particular, devise a proforma for staff to record the outcome of any meetings they attend about young people.

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Recommendations

 The workforce plan should be included in the statement of purpose and include the arrangements for the supervision of staff practice. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.10). In particular, the provider should make clear how frequently staff can expect supervision to take place.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should undertake a review that focuses on the quality of the care provided by the home, the experiences of children living there and the impact the care is having on outcomes and improvements for the children. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.2). In particular, incorporate the views and feedback from young people and evaluate what impact the care young people receive has on improving outcomes for young people.

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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 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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