Children's home run by Pebbles Care Limited in Hyndburn

Inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 1 SC456271 Registered provider: Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

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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 owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in September 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: 6 December 2023

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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: SC456271 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/12/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 05/10/2021 Full Good 25/06/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has remained living in the home since the last inspection. One child has moved out of the home in a planned way in preparation for semi-independent living. Both children currently living at the home spoke with the inspector during the inspection. Children share generally positive feedback about the staff and about living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child who has moved out had positive endings to their time living in the home. Staff support children to prepare for leaving in line with their individual needs. Staff prepare memory books and plan leaving celebrations to ensure that children’s endings are positive. Staff ensure they have all items that are important to them to take with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise the emotional impact on children leaving their families when they move into the home. Staff support children to understand their experiences and why they can no longer live with family members. Staff support children to spend time with family members and keep in regular communication with them to provide updates about the children. Family members were spoken to as part of the inspection. They share positive feedback about the care provided to the children and continue to feel involved in the children’s care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children attend school. Since the last inspection, the registered manager has challenged relevant agencies effectively when there are delays in children attending education and lack of provision. As a result, both children attend school and are making progress. For one child, this has meant being able to participate in residential trips in line with their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s physical and emotional health needs are met. Staff understand children’s needs that arise from traumatic childhood experiences. When children are reluctant to engage, staff undertake workshops and consultations with the in-house therapist. This gives staff insight into the children’s needs and how best to support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children struggle with boundaries in place, the manager and staff advocate for children to be able to have a level of independence in line with their development. However, this is limited for one child due to the stigma attached to being a child who is looked after. There were plans in place at the inspection to address this.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. There are clear risk assessments in place with specific strategies to help staff reduce the risk of harm to children. Staff know the plans and strategies in place to support children and follow these when incidents occur. Staff talk to children about these and educate them on how to keep safe, for example regarding electronic cigarettes and going missing from care. This helps children understand risk and helps them to make safe and informed choices. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 4 Incidents of challenging behaviour in the home have reduced. Staff understand children’s needs and use their relationships with children to de-escalate situations effectively. As a result, children have not needed to be held since the last inspection.

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

Incidents of children being missing from home have reduced. When incidents do occur, staff manage them well and actively look for children. There is clear guidance for staff to follow in practice. Staff work with partner agencies and families to locate children quickly.

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

When allegations are made against staff, leaders and managers respond effectively. The manager works with partner agencies to ensure relevant information is shared and investigated.

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

The recruitment of new staff to the home is safe. This means that only those recruited to work in the home are suitable and appropriate.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced registered manager leads the home. The registered manager is supported in her role by a responsible individual and a competent staff team. All those involved in in the home know the children well and demonstrate a good knowledge of the children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager adopts a strong multi-agency approach in caring for the children and has developed good relationships with professionals involved in their care. A professional involved with a child reported positive working relationships with staff and the manager, detailing their advocacy and support for the child as a strength.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children are cared for by a consistent staff team. At times of shortfalls in staffing, consistent relief staff are used to minimise the impact on children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy their roles and receive support from leaders and the manager. Staff receive regular supervision and attend regular team meetings. This forum provides staff with opportunities to reflect on their practice and the quality of care that children receive. The manager ensures that any learning that is specific to the children’s individual needs which therefore may be beneficial to staff is shared at team meetings. This enhances the care staff provide for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have systems in place to ensure that there is effective oversight and monitoring of the home. The manager has taken action to address the requirements identified at the last inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s environment and care are designed to take account of children’s potential worries about being stigmatised or bullied by their peers for being ‘different’ because they live in residential care. Staff should support children to talk about and help them address any concerns they have about this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.13)  The registered person should ensure that effective care planning is maintained and reviewed with the placing authority. Strong working relationships between the staff of the home and the placing authority are essential to the success of placements. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 56, paragraph 11.2)

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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: SC456271 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Nurture Childcare Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Nicola Rutherford, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC456271 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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