Children's Home run by Pebbles Care Limited in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 1 SC417795 Registered provider: Pebbles Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is run by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there was one child living in the home who was spoken with during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2024.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 22/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 20/04/2021 Full Good 02/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The development of this home can be seen and felt. This home is welcoming with a friendly and homely atmosphere. The child has been actively involved in the redecoration of the home. They have participated in shopping trips with the staff to buy items that remind them of their own family home. This approach has successfully created a sense of belonging for the child. Furthermore, this has resulted in a notable decrease in incidents where property has been damaged.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has been supported to build trusted relationships with the staff. Staff have helped the child through a difficult time in their life. They consistently remind the child of the positive aspects of their life and celebrate their successes. The child has also participated in charity events for their chosen cause, which they speak about with pride and enthusiasm. These experiences have led to an increase in the child’s confidence and self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff have lots of meaningful conversations with the child. These conversations are repeated and revisited to reinforce important messages. This is in line with the child’s needs. This helps the child to be more open and talk about things that might be worrying them. As a result, the child is helped to understand and make sense of their feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making progress in important areas of their life. This is because of the consistent care and nurture provided by the staff. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] is very relaxed with the staff. They [staff] are providing what is needed in terms of a secure base for the child.’ Another professional said, ‘I am very impressed by the staff’s commitment to [name of child].’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff understand the importance of education. The child goes to school, and if they are not in school they are supported to take part in vocational activities of their choice. However, there are no current plans in place in the home to support the child to develop their reading and writing skills. This is a missed opportunity to support the child to develop skills that will benefit them in later life.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child knows what to do if something they are unhappy about cannot be resolved by staff. The child made a formal complaint to the manager, which was appropriately managed, and the child was involved in the process. The manager kept the child involved and up to date throughout. This gives the child confidence that their voice is heard.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff speak with the child about things that may be dangerous to them or cause them harm. This helps the child to gain an understanding of potential risks and how to Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 4 avoid unsafe situations or people. The staff carry out targeted sessions with the child about the dangers of going missing, illegal substances, dangers online, vaping, dangers of riding motorbikes and more. This provides the child with an honest and open forum where they discuss risks and how to keep safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There have been significant improvements since the last full inspection in terms of fire safety in the home. Weekly fire checks are in place and completed by the staff, and the manager has oversight of these. The child is aware of the fire evacuation process and takes part in regular fire drills. The staff have regular discussions with the child to ensure that they understand the importance of fire safety.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Incidents of missing from the home have significantly reduced. This improvement is because of the staff’s proactive approach to gain an understanding of the reasons behind each time the child goes missing. The staff have implemented effective strategies to increase the child’s desire to remain at the home and engage positively with the staff. For a child who recently moved out of the home, the staff worked with the child to identify and put in place supportive measures, for example increasing their time with friends in the community in a safe way.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a new, experienced manager in place. She is enthusiastic, knowledgeable and has the child at the centre of her practice. She came to the home at a time when staff morale was low. However, she has quickly identified shortfalls and acted. She has provided the child and the staff with nurture and support. As a result, there is a strong feeling of positivity in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers put performance management plans in place when staff performance is not as good as it should be. These plans are supportive and firm. Clear expectations are made to ensure that staff performance improves. This proactive management ensures that the child is receiving good and consistent care from staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has been in this home since March 2024. The staff are extremely positive about her and the support that they receive. They spoke openly about the previous management of the home. The staff said that, on reflection, they understand the importance of strong communication between the manager and the staff team. The staff say that they are now all working together as one team with the same shared goal.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff say that they like working together. This is positive for the child, as they are cared for by a team that enjoys working in the home. One member of staff said, ‘The staff meetings are really welcoming and inclusive. They are about us being together as one team. We are really supportive of one another.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leaders in the organisation recognise the complexity of need for the child. The decision was made to not place another child in the home until the child is settled and feels ready for a housemate. Leaders have given the new manager time to establish herself in the home. This approach has been successful. It has given the manager time Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 5 to form positive relationships with the staff and the child. This, in turn, benefits the child and the staff say that the child is more settled and making progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager takes all safeguarding incidents and allegations seriously and acts. She is not afraid to have difficult conversations with others, including those from outside agencies. The manager makes clear, defensible decisions and provides a rationale for these. She ensures that any recommendations or plans that are agreed are followed up in a timely manner and that these are well recorded. Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff play an important role in supporting children in line with their personal education plan or education, health and care plan. In particular, the staff should support children with their reading and writing in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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 for children’s home: SC417795 7

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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

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC417795 8 regulates and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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