Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 1 Registered provider: Leeds City Council

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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 operated and managed by a local authority.

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Information about this children’s home

It provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. The home uses a therapeutic model of care to support children.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is suitably experienced and registered with Ofsted in July 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 8 November 2023

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

08/11/2023 Full Good 14/03/2023 Full Good 18/08/2021 Full Outstanding 03/04/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

This home provides a warm, welcoming and calm environment. The children say that they like living in this home and speak positively about the staff. All three children were spoken to during this inspection. One child said, ‘The staff are all great and lovely.’ This is because the staff are skilled at building positive relationships with the children quickly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff value the importance of putting the child first and their behaviours second. Staff work with the children to understand what their triggers are and help them to work through these. The children are helped to engage in ‘skills sessions’ that focus on their areas of need. This has resulted in an increase in positive behaviours from the children and a reduction in incidents.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff demonstrate a commitment to tailoring the children’s education plans by actively involving the children. They gain insights into the children’s past experiences and seek their perspective on what will work best. Children feel valued and more empowered in their educational journey. One child has successfully completed their GCSE qualifications and started college. Another child is working part time and is now applying for college courses. For a child, who is new to the home, the staff have created an education plan until an appropriate education placement is identified.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s family relationships are strengthened because of the staff’s efforts. Family members speak positively about the staff and the care provided to their children. One family member said, ‘I think it is brilliant there. It gives me peace of mind for my child’. The children say that the support they receive from the staff means that they can spend more quality time with their families. This strengthens the children’s support networks and gives them a stronger sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to move into and out of the home in a positive way. One child was successfully supported to return to live with their family. The staff carefully managed this transition. The child was well prepared, and their family received the necessary support to facilitate a smooth return to the family home. Children moving into the home are supported through visits and overnight stays. The child and their family were fully involved and participated in planning meetings from the very start.

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

Children are supported to keep themselves as safe as possible. Regular key-work sessions are completed with the children, focusing on critical areas such as online safety, the risks of going missing and healthy relationships. These sessions are providing the children with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed choices and reduce potential risks. Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 4 Children are supported by staff immediately after incidents to ensure their safety and well-being. Staff take the time to revisit incidents with the children, encouraging them to talk through what happened and what could be done differently next time. This reflective practice has led to fewer incidents and helps the children to improve their ability to think about the consequences of their actions.

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

When children go missing from the home the staff are proactive in searching for them. Where going missing is an identified risk, the staff plan and work closely with the child. The staff discuss where the child is planning to go for the day and who they will be with. This reduces the chances of the children going missing and helps to ensure that they can be found quickly if necessary.

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

The children are helped to have a good relationship with one another as much as possible. The staff facilitate joint sessions and fun activities with the children. If children are struggling to get along well with one another, the staff ensure that they are given time and space, before attempting to resolve any issues between them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is passionate and enthusiastic about her role. This positive energy is reflected throughout the staff team. As a result, the children benefit from being cared for by staff who are genuinely happy to be at work, creating a warm and supportive environment that improves the children’s well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has created an open culture in this home that encourages learning. After incidents, she collaborates with the staff to reflect on their own roles and to consider what could have been done differently. This approach helps the staff to feel supported, be accountable and contribute to identifying improvements in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff speak positively about the management team. They feel valued and respected. The managers and senior staff prioritise the well-being of the staff by allowing them time of reflection and self-care. This support ensures that the staff are always prepared to provide high quality and consistent care to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works hard to ensure that new children moving into the home do not negatively impact those already living there. She completes risk assessments to identify and balance risks against the needs for all the children. If the manager determines that the risks cannot be managed or that the staff cannot meet the needs of a child, she will decline the referral. This helps to maintain a safe and supportive environment for everyone.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak positively about the manager. They said that the manager appropriately challenges them and holds them to account, ensuring that the children’s needs are met. They said that the manager is an advocate for the children and the children know that she is in their corner. One professional said, ‘The manager is relentless in pursuing the correct outcomes for the children.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 5 No requirements or recommendations were made during this inspection.

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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: 1223201 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Merrion House, Merrion Centre, Leeds LS2 8LX

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Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1223201 7 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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