Amber House

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 1 SC356604 Registered provider: Pebbles Care 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 private company. 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

There were no children living in the home at the time of this visit.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2023. The registered manager was on maternity leave at the time of the visit. The responsible individual was available. An interim manager for one of the provider’s other homes supported the visit.

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This monitoring visit

On 4 and 5 June 2025, Ofsted carried out a full inspection. Inspectors identified significant concerns relating to children’s safety and the stability and effectiveness of leaders and managers. The provider immediately implemented an action plan to address the identified shortfalls. An agreement was made with the provider that no children would move into the home until the shortfalls had been addressed.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to review the action taken by the provider to address the identified shortfalls.

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This monitoring visit

Children have positive relationships with staff and trust them. A child who previously lived at the home has sought support from staff when they have been at risk. Staff have shown the child nurture while ensuring their safety. Staff have listened to the child, which has helped them to identify and escalate concerns to appropriate professionals and promote the child’s future safety.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have carried out a thorough review of the shortfalls identified during the last inspection. Comprehensive team meetings and supervision sessions Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 2 with staff have encouraged practice reflection and enabled lessons to be learned from previous incidents. These systems have enabled leaders and managers to provide clear direction to staff, improving their understanding of their role and responsibility to manage incidents and keep children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have carried out investigations and acted on concerns about staff and their practice. Leaders demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a skilled and capable staff and management team who can effectively care for children and ensure their safety. Additional staff have been recruited, and there is a focus on ensuring they receive a comprehensive induction. Currently, there is a full complement of staff. The provider has said they do not plan on children moving into the home until they are confident that they will be cared for effectively and kept safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff speak highly of the support that they receive. The interim manager has recognised that staff well-being and morale were low, due to exhaustion in their role, and this significantly impacted on children’s care and safety. Extensive well- being support has been delivered through the joint efforts of the interim manager and the psychologist. Staff feel supported and more emotionally equipped and motivated to contribute to improvements in the home. Staff are working together to achieve the goal of creating a warm and homely place for children to live.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have not received the identified training that they need to develop their practice and care for children. However, some training has been arranged for the near future, and staff are being supported to understand the importance of completing any outstanding training courses.

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This monitoring visit

There are some discrepancies in the documentation, with certain records not being updated in a timely manner. These inaccuracies can affect the guidance that staff receive, potentially compromising the quality of care for children. Audits are in place, and they are carried out regularly. However, they have not identified the recording discrepancies.

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This monitoring visit

The interim manager has not consulted with external agencies or relevant people in order to inform their quality-of-care review. The views and experiences of others, including children, could identify areas of development that are not currently in the action plan.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have been proactive in progressing the requirements and recommendations raised at the last inspection. However, a requirement raised at the last inspection under the leadership and management standard remains in place. The due date for this requirement was post this monitoring visit date. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/06/2025 Full Inadequate 15/10/2024 Full Good 03/10/2023 Full Good 15/02/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 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, The 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 with 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

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to —

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(h)) 24 August 2025

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 5

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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

Sarah McGow, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC356604 6 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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