Children's home run by Pebbles Care Limited in Hyndburn

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 1 SC456271

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Registered provider: Nurture Childcare Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a small private company. The home’s statement of purpose states that it provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a manager in post. However, she is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit.

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The care of children

At the time of the assurance visit, two children were living at this home. Children are settled and developing a sense of permanence. Children were happy to speak to the inspector and talked about being happy and safe in their home.

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The care of children

Children develop good relationships with their staff team. They can talk openly about their feelings. Children are developing their social skills while building resilience and self-confidence.

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The care of children

Children are supported to develop their independence skills in line with their age and understanding. This prepares children for adulthood.

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The care of children

Staff promote children’s education. Children who have previously not engaged in education are now attending suitable provisions. However, when children are not able to attend education settings full time, the provider does not ensure that additional plans are in place for learning. This is a missed opportunity for each child to learn informally.

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The care of children

Children engage in various activities that promote their hobbies and interests. Staff are sensitive to children’s individual needs, and they encourage them to try new activities. This has increased children’s self-esteem and supported them to manage new situations.

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The care of children

Children’s health and well-being are promoted by staff. Statutory health assessments have been completed, and children are supported to attend required medical appointments. This has led to improvements in children’s physical and emotional health.

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The safety of children

Children are safe and well cared for. Individual risk assessments are followed by staff, and strategies are effective in reducing risks. Appropriate safety and monitoring measures are in place to ensure that children are safe and protected. However, some risk assessments are too lengthy and contain out-of-date information. This makes it difficult to understand current and historical risks.

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The safety of children

Staff are trained in de-escalation techniques, and these interventions are effective in preventing incidents from escalating. There have been no physical interventions since the last inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 3 Incident reports are detailed and include any lessons learned to improve practice. Staff listen to children and help them to reflect on incidents. This promotes children’s self-awareness and helps them to manage their behaviour. Children receive positive praise and recognition for their achievements and progress.

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The safety of children

Managers and staff respond effectively to any allegations made by children. Staff respond immediately to ensure that all children are safeguarded. Clear procedures are followed and relevant authorities are notified without delay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There is a manager in post. The manager was appointed in May 2022 and, at the time of this assurance visit, her application to register with Ofsted was in progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

At the time of this visit, the inspector was advised that the named responsible individual was no longer employed by the provider and a new responsible individual had recently been appointed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There has been a high number of changes in staff, and shifts are regularly covered by the manager and by staff from other homes. This means that children are not cared for by a stable or consistent staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff say that the manager is supportive, and communication has improved. The manager ensures that staff receive good-quality supervision and team meetings take place. These opportunities enable staff to discuss important issues, reflect on practice and share information.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/10/2021 Full Good 25/06/2019 Full Good 13/03/2019 Interim Declined in effectiveness Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 4

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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 education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally; maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)) 5 January 2023

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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 helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(d)) 5 January 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nurture Childcare Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Seighford Hall, Clanford Road, Seighford, Stafford ST18 9NL

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Inspector

Jessica Higginson, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 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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