Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 1 SC033723 Registered provider: Leeds City Council Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A local authority operates this home. The home provides short- to medium-term care for up to four children or young people, offering stable preparation to return to a family setting or move on to independence. The experienced and appropriately qualified manager was registered in November 2015.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The experience for the children and young people in this home has been mixed since the last inspection. There was an influx of new staff, who were introduced into this home at the same time. As a result, the children and young people experienced a lack of consistency in terms of managing their behaviour, from staff they did not know. The children’s and young people’s behaviour became unsettled, resulting in a serious incident whereby the children’s and young people’s behaviour became out of control and the children and young people were arrested by the police. The management investigated the incident. The management identified some learning from the incident and took appropriate action to deal with all issues identified. The staffing is now stable, and the children and young people are making good progress in all areas of their development. Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 2 A requirement in relation to risk assessments has been met. Risk assessments are

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

improved and provide staff with clear instructions to manage risk and reduce risks to the children and young people. Because staff are following new risk assessments and they are consistent in their approach, incidents of challenging behaviour have reduced.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The children and young people are making good progress with managing their emotions, because the staff work in partnership with specialist therapeutic services. The children and young people are supported by staff to learn strategies to help them manage their emotions. This is enhancing their life opportunities, because the staff help them to transfer their coping strategies into new situations. As a result, some of the children and young people have been able to go on holiday for the first time.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All the children and young people attend education. Some of the children and young people have progressed from not attending school to attending full time. The staff team works closely with education staff to help the children and young people understand the importance of learning. Because of one child’s significantly improved school attendance, he has achieved some educational qualifications for the first time.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Incidents of physical intervention are low. When any physical intervention is used, it is at the lowest level and for the minimum time to keep the children and young people safe.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The regulatory body is hindered in its monitoring of safeguarding practice. Notifications of significant events are not always notified to the regulatory body. On one occasion, in relation to a serious incident, there has been a delay in notifying the regulator.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are hazards around the home which could hurt the children and young people. Immediate hazards were removed during this inspection. Repairs and damage to the home are not always reported or fixed quickly. This is not providing the children and young people with high standards to aspire to now or in the future.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

A recommendation around managing fire risks has not been met. Managers do not monitor whether all staff have been involved in a fire evacuation. This could potentially delay escape time if staff are not familiar with evacuation procedures in the event of a fire.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/07/2018 Full Good 30/08/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 24/01/2017 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 3

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, the 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) and (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that any physical repairs are identified and are completed without delay. Ensure that the home is free from any hazards. 31/03/2019

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Requirement Due date

If the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005(a) applies to the home—

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Requirement Due date

the registered person must ensure that the requirements of that Order and any regulations made under it, except for article 23 (duties of employees), are complied with in respect of the home. (Regulation 25 (2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to all children and all staff taking part in a fire drill. This should be clearly recorded and monitored.

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Requirement Due date

take such general fire precautions as will ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety of any of his employees; and 30/04/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 4 in relation to relevant persons who are not his employees, take such general fire precautions as may reasonably be required in the circumstances of the case to ensure that the premises are safe. (Regulation 8, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005) The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there; or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(c) and (e)) 30/04/2019

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Merion House, 7th Floor West, Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8TU

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Inspectors

Jamie Richardson: social care inspector Matthew Reed: Her Majesty’s Inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC033723 6 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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