Children's Home run by MY STORY RESIDENTIAL CARE LIMITED in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home: 2825478 1 Registered provider: My Story Residential Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in April 2025 and is privately operated. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home, who was spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The post for a registered manager is vacant.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2825478 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has developed trusting relationships with the staff. The child was initially apprehensive around some staff, but they now speak openly with them. The child asks staff to attend their reviews or meetings and has identified some staff they get along with well, who are positive role models. Staff balance group interaction with individual support well, helping the child feel secure and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help the child to become more independent, using clear and achievable steps to build their confidence in everyday routines and future planning. Family time has increased in line with the child’s wishes, and staff ensure that these visits are meaningful and led by the child. The child has been able to reconnect with their siblings after not seeing them for some time.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take active steps to support the child’s health and well-being. They encourage physical activity, healthy eating and good personal hygiene. The child now benefits from therapeutic support, which has improved their emotional and mental well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff and professionals work together to identify suitable options for the child’s education, although the child is not currently enrolled in a provision. In the meantime, staff encourage the child to engage in purposeful and stimulating activities. This keeps the child occupied and provides them with learning opportunities out of school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen to the child and respond to their views, embedding choices into daily routines and care planning. Staff promote independence while maintaining safety. Staff have adapted the home to reflect the child’s preferences, including removing signage to create a more homely atmosphere.

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

Staff understand the child’s vulnerabilities and respond appropriately when risks arise. Although incidents are rare, staff are well prepared and respond calmly, helping to maintain a settled and safe atmosphere in the home.

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

Staff use a consistent, risk-informed approach to managing behaviour. They provide clear and unified messages, helping the child understand expectations. Consequences are only applied when necessary, with discussions and positive reinforcement being the main ways staff help the child manage their behaviour.

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

The child is making progress in recognising and expressing their emotions. Staff encourage the child to identify how they feel and respond in constructive ways. This approach has reduced the child’s frustration and lowered the chance of incidents occurring. Inspection report for children’s home: 2825478 3 Staff use the least restrictive practices to manage unwanted behaviours, and they regularly review any risk management measures. Staff work with professionals to reduce or remove these measures when safe to do so. The child was allocated a higher staffing ratio, but staff reduce this where they can and help the child to enjoy their free time in the safest way possible.

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

Staff use surveillance proportionately. External closed-circuit television helps keep the home safe, while the child moves freely inside with their privacy respected. Door alarms are individually assessed and only used when necessary to support the child’s safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home does not currently have a registered manager. The provider is prioritising recruitment for this post. The responsible individual and deputy manager provide consistent and stable care support to the staff. Leaders and managers ensure clear staffing structures and well-defined roles, facilitating the smooth operation of the home. Staff feel well supported and know how to raise concerns when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers prioritise stability and sustainable development. They set clear goals and provide the support needed for staff to achieve them at a manageable pace. Children are central to the home’s ethos, which is reflected in daily practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child benefits from consistent relationships with staff and leaders. Despite vacancies, agency workers and casual staff receive full inductions and regular supervision sessions. Staff return frequently, providing the child with familiar and reliable support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have clear systems in place to support the day-to-day running and oversight of the home. Staff understand and follow these systems consistently. Leaders and managers plan to improve how children’s progress is recorded, making it easier to monitor and review the quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers recognise that child-focused recording is an area for improvement. Since the home opened, records have become more child centred. However, further work is needed to ensure that they reflect the child’s voice and perspective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2825478 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information about individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third- party information and is helpful to the child. (‘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: 2825478 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: My Story Residential Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Devere House, 62 Vicar Lane, Bradford BD1 5AH

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Inspector

Vikki Thwaites, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2825478 6 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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