Children's home run by Pebbles Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2788643 1 Registered provider: Pebbles Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private organisation operates this cluster of 3 homes. Ofsted registered the homes in June 2024 under a multi-build registration to provide care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home’s statement of purpose states that the staff are trained to apply a specific therapeutic model of care. The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2024 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in the cluster of homes at the time of the inspection. Two children were spoken with.

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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 outstanding

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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: 2788643 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/03/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2788643 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Fundamentally, children have substantive relationships with staff that are built on trust. This has ensured that all children have made progress from the point of them moving into the home. Although one child has moved on prematurely, staff do persist with children and seek creative ways to better support them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children have experienced significant challenges with coping in a school or college environment. This has significantly curtailed their learning. However, through staff perseverance and effective networking, children have achieved graded GCSE results. This has been significant for these children and has given them a stronger platform going into further education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are inquisitive and interested to learn about the children and their backgrounds. This is approached sensitively and alongside children. In doing so, children feel safe and able to explore important aspects of their identity and their family’s history with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have opportunities to enjoy experiences with staff to have fun and laughter. One child enjoyed a memorable holiday in Lapland. Furthermore, staff support children to pursue their interests and passions in life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Professionals are positive about the care that children receive. Notably, professionals have commented on the persistence, drive and commitment that staff show. Furthermore, professionals appreciate the weekly reports that they receive about the children, enabling them to better evaluate and plan the child’s care.

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

Staff are confident to hold sensitive conversations with children. These conversations are informed by staff researching a variety of subjects that are pertinent to the children. Examples include complex issues associated with gender and ethnic minorities. In doing so, staff are in a much stronger position to effectively support children.

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

Some children have been grappling with challenges associated with problematic substance misuse and poor mental health. However, these children are now making positive steps forward in their lives. This is testament to the relationships that staff have built with children.

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

The manager has now aligned the missing person’s process with the local authority joint protocol. Furthermore, children’s written risk assessments are now succinct and dynamic. Cumulatively, these steps have enabled a more confident approach to safeguarding.

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

Staff recruitment checks are thorough. Notably, the manager participates in the recruitment process. This has had particular benefits as the manager has been mindful Inspection report for children’s home: 2788643 4 of the character and skills that staff need to work in the cluster of homes that form part of the registration.

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

Therapists work directly with children and support staff to better understand the children’s unique situations and experiences. Although children, nor their families, are given any child friendly literature to explain what the therapist’s role is. Additionally, neither is there information to highlight how children’s confidentiality will be preserved, and instances explaining when therapists will be duty bound to share information with others.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has skilfully orchestrated three small teams that work cohesively across the cluster of homes. Each home has its own distinct character and staff team. Notably, the manager and two floating deputy managers work seamlessly across the cluster of homes. In doing so, the manager has created a sense of togetherness and has influenced a positive team spirit.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Strikingly, all staff spoke highly of the manager’s efforts to ensure that they are emotionally and practically supported. Staff say that they feel valued, understood and that their manager is always available for support. Staff felt that this was particularly important to reduce any sense of feeling isolated in their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff are motivated to learn and develop their role. Indeed, the manager has been pivotal in creating a learning culture across the cluster of homes. This is something that has galvanised staff and motivated them to succeed in the midst of challenging situations. Notably, this was recognised by an external assessor who supports staff through their diploma award.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is truly accountable and works transparently with all external agencies. This gives confidence in what care looks like across the cluster of homes. Furthermore, the manager’s development plan for the cluster of homes meaningfully reflects her vision. Moreover, staff have been involved in the formulation of the manager’s development plan. As a result, the manager has been the architect of engineering a collective endeavour across the cluster of homes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a reciprocal support network in the organisation for the manager to access. This provides reassurance and support for the manager as and when required. However, there was one example where organisational processes created unnecessary drift relating to an internal investigation around perceived poor staff practice. Furthermore, there were two situations where the manager needed more informed input from leaders following incidents involving children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2788643 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that each child understands the home’s procedures and policies for respecting their confidentiality, and when it will not be possible to preserve this. In particular, children having literature to understand the role of the therapist and what happens to any information that the child shares with the therapist. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.15)  The registered person should have sufficient capacity to ensure that the Quality Standards are met for each child in the home. Additionally, senior leaders should ensure that their processes support the manager in their daily decision making. Furthermore, ensuring that organisational processes support a timely conclusion to internal investigations relating to perceived poor staff practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph

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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: 2788643 6

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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, England LS2 7JU

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Inspector

Steve Guirey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2788643 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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