Children's home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 1 SC033389 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

The home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living in the home. One child was spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2019 and is suitably qualified for the role.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/07/2024 Full Good 21/11/2023 Full Good 14/02/2023 Full Good 01/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has been redecorated and is welcoming. The children’s bedrooms were personalised with their belongings and were clean and tidy. Children are encouraged to take pride of their home by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have lived at the home for a long time. Staff know the children well and have developed trusting relationships. Children enjoy spending time with staff, both during planned activities and around the home. Some of the children have been on holiday with staff, either alone or with other children. Photos show children enjoying themselves during these holidays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Educational progress across the children is mixed. One child continues to engage positively with their learning, while others face challenges. When barriers to learning are identified, the manager takes timely and appropriate action, ensuring a coordinated multi-agency response to support children in overcoming these difficulties. All the children have plans in place for college or apprenticeships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prepare children effectively for their futures. Because staff know the children well, they can develop individualised independence plans that support children’s progression towards adulthood, such as budgeting, cooking and using public transport.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s health needs are generally well met, with health appointments kept up to date. However, some children who require glasses do not consistently wear them, and it is unclear if staff are supporting these children to understand the importance of wearing their glasses. In one case, a child who recently underwent surgery is required to wear a support aid to prevent further injury; again, there is no evidence that staff have engaged with the child to explain the health implications of not using this aid.

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

Where there are concerns in relation to child exploitation, the manager responds promptly and is creative. On one occasion, a child was temporarily moved out of the area with staff in an effort to disrupt patterns of potential exploitation. Staff worked collaboratively with teachers, youth justice services, and the child’s social worker to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach. As a result of this multi-agency approach, the child’s risk of exploitation has reduced.

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

The manager makes referrals to external agencies to support children’s specific needs and to help them understand potential risks. Some children engage well with these services, which supports them in recognising the impact of choices such as substance misuse. Staff continue to provide direct work, reinforcing the importance of safe and positive decision-making. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 4 Children often spend time in the community or visiting family daily. Staff maintain regular contact and are usually aware of the children’s whereabouts. When children are not where they are expected to be, staff follow the children’s missing-from-home protocols that are in place to help locate the children as quickly and safely as possible.

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

There has been a reduction in the use of physical interventions. Records provide a clear account of the strategies staff use to de-escalate incidents, demonstrating a focus on prevention. Following incidents, both staff and children are given the opportunity to speak with leaders and managers to reflect on the incident and share their views about what was happening for them at the time, and how occurrence can be avoided in future.

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

Leaders and managers take any allegation seriously and work in consultation with the designated officer and the child’s social worker. The designated officer said that there are no concerns with how allegations are managed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There have been changes to the leadership team in the home, with a new deputy appointed. The manager and deputy work well together, maintaining a good balance that enables both to perform effectively in their roles. The managers have a strong understanding of the children and hold high aspirations for their futures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions are reflective and focused on practice. Leaders and managers acknowledge staff’s good work and commitment, helping them to feel valued and supported in their roles. Supervision sessions offer a safe space for staff to discuss personal circumstances. Managers respond with empathy and offer practical suggestions to support staff in their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are up to date with all mandatory training and have completed additional training in the Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy (PACE) model. Staff said that the PACE approach is embedded in daily practice and that the team works consistently to apply it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses. There is a development plan in place to support the progress of the home. This has realistic targets to achieve over the coming months.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All professionals and one parent said that there are no concerns with communication with staff at the home. One parent said that their son is making great progress and that is because of the help and support from staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager was not fully aware of a significant aspect of one child’s background. Therefore, this important information was not effectively shared among the staff team. This lack of effective communication is a missed opportunity to meet the child’s emotional needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 5 Some of the children’s statutory documents lack sufficient detail to effectively support their needs. These plans do not clearly outline the actions staff should be working towards. The manager has not challenged the quality of these documents to the child’s social worker. As a result, some plans do not provide clear guidance to staff or fully support positive progress for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within 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

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(f)) 5 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person considers, or staff consider, a placing authority’s or a relevant person’s performance or response to be inadequate in relation to their role, challenge the placing authority or the relevant person to seek to ensure that each child’s needs are met in accordance with the child’s relevant plans. (Regulation 5 (c)) 5 October 2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children receive ongoing support and guidance to help them understand the importance of using prescribed items, such as glasses and other support aids, in line with advice from healthcare professionals. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3) Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 7

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC033389 8

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC033389 9 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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