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

Assurance visit report: SC481631 1 SC481631

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by an independent provider. It is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to four children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. There has been no manager in post since August 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 8 October 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Requires improvement to be good

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:  children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We identified no serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: SC481631 2

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The care of children

Children have positive relationships with staff because staff spend time getting to know them and understanding their needs. The consistent staff team means that children are cared for by adults whom they are familiar with.

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The care of children

Staff listen to children’s views and wishes. When a child makes a complaint, staff address these concerns quickly and in line with the home’s procedures. This means that children feel valued and are confident that their concerns are taken seriously.

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The care of children

When children are getting ready to move on from the home, staff make sure that there are clear plans in place. These plans include opportunities for children to spend time with their new carers. This allows children to form positive relationships with these carers before they move on from the home.

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The care of children

Children receive support from staff to progress in their education or to find employment if this is their preferred option. One child has recently gained employment, and two children have moved onto college. When children do not have a school placement, staff work in partnership with the local authority. This ensures that a suitable placement is found quickly and that children’s education is not disrupted.

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The care of children

Staff explain to the children the need for restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. One child said that she ‘felt supported throughout’ and understood the reasons why she could not go and visit her family and friends. Staff help children to keep in contact with the people who are important to them, by using social media and virtual visits. This means that children do not feel isolated.

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The safety of children

The previous registered manager did not ensure that allegations of harm or abuse were managed in line with the home’s safeguarding procedures. Furthermore, when the registered manager failed to follow the safeguarding procedure, staff did not escalate their concerns to more senior managers. This failure placed children at risk of harm.

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The safety of children

The responsible individual has reviewed and amended the safeguarding and whistle- blowing procedures. Staff have received additional safeguarding training to improve their knowledge and skills. As a result, staff now understand their safeguarding responsibilities and know how to refer any concerns about children’s safety.

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The safety of children

Children’s risk assessments include all known risks to their safety and welfare. Staff regularly review these risk assessments to ensure that the strategies in place to manage children’s risks are clear and effective. As a result, children become increasingly safe and also start to learn how to keep themselves safe.

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The safety of children

Some children use cannabis. Staff continue to offer referrals to local specialist drug and alcohol misuse services. When children refuse to work with these services, staff Assurance visit report: SC481631 3 complete one-to-one sessions with them. This helps children to understand the physical and mental health risks associated with the use of illegal drugs.

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The safety of children

Leaders and managers assess children’s risks prior to their admission to the home. This allows leaders and managers to identify any additional training that staff may need. Consequently, staff are knowledgeable about children’s individual risks and have the skills to manage these.

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Leaders and managers

The home is without a registered manager. The deputy manager and two senior members of staff are currently in day-to-day charge of the home. However the specific roles and responsibilities of these staff, in the absence of a registered manager, are unclear. This means that management oversight of the service is poor.

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Leaders and managers

The previous manager did not complete a review of the quality of care provided by the service. This means that leaders and managers do not have sufficient oversight of the impact that the care provided by the service has on children’s progress and experiences. This hinders children’s development.

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Leaders and managers

The independent visitor has provided a monthly report to the home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They have used technology and social media to review children’s care. However, the independent visitor has not routinely consulted with the children, their families or other professionals. This means that these monthly reports lack the views of others and rely solely on the manager’s perspectives.

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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, 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

promotes their welfare. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, there should be clear interim management arrangements in place to ensure that the children and young people are safe and continue to make progress. Leaders 15/10/2020 Assurance visit report: SC481631 4 should have a strong oversight of the home’s performance so that any issues can be identified and addressed without delay.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a policy which

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Requirement Due date

is intended to safeguard children accommodated in the children’s home from abuse or neglect; and

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Requirement Due date

sets out the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of abuse or neglect. (Regulation 34 (1)(a)(b)) 15/10/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires (Regulation 44 (1)(2)(a)) 15/10/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions that the registered person considers necessary in order to improve or maintain the quality of care provided for children.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of care review, the registered person must produce a written report about the quality of care review and the actions which the registered person intends to take as a result of the quality of care review (“the quality of care review report”).

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must 15/10/2020 Assurance visit report: SC481631 5 supply to HMCI a copy of the quality of care review report within 28 days of the date on which the quality of care review is completed. (Regulation 45 (1)(2)(a)(b)(c)(3)(4)(a))

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Pebbles Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 2 The Calls, Leeds LS2 7JU

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Inspector

Deb Duffy, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC481631 6 to 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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