Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 1 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

This home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to 2 children who may experience emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children are living at the home, and one child was spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in August 2024.

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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: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/02/2025 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 3

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Summary of findings

Two children live in the home. The children are making progress in their own ways and are continuously supported by a dedicated team of staff. The manager has been on a journey during his tenure and has moved the home forward. Staff have built nurturing and supportive relationships in a short length of time, ensuring that children feel well cared for. Children have positive relationships with staff who care for them and advocate well on their behalf.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most parts of home are clean, tidy and welcoming. Childrens bedrooms are decorated to their style and are personalised with their belongings, including photos of family members. The stairs and landing carpet are dirty, and the garden was overgrown in some areas. The manager acted immediately to rectify the identified issues.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who previously experienced long-term gaps in education are now attending college consistently and show clear life aspirations. Children spoke openly about their career goals and understand how their current courses will help them succeed. For one child facing specific barriers, staff provide dedicated emotional support and a stable daily routine to help navigate these challenges. Despite these obstacles, the child remains highly focused, with clear career ambitions and a defined path for further study.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides high levels of stability for children who have lived there for a long time. Staff dedication to their work ensures that positive relationships with children are sustained over time. Care is underpinned by love, creating a sense of belonging for children. This supportive environment allows for children to discuss sensitive or challenging issues with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the children to spend time with their families. This includes families who live far away. Staff have helped prepare one child at their own pace to successfully use public transport to visit their family and loved ones across the country. This support has helped the child to gain valuable independence skills that will help them throughout their life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

As children prepare to leave the home, transitions are thoughtfully planned around their individual needs and progressed at their own pace. Staff place a high priority on relationship building during this time. Transition plans include dedicated time for current staff to support children at their new home, helping them develop positive and new relationships that are guided by the adults they already trust. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 4 The manager ensures that all relevant referrals are processed through the most efficient pathways available. Children receive support for their mental health alongside targeted interventions for other needs, such as substance misuse. Children’s wide-ranging needs are met by staff who care deeply about the children’s wellbeing.

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

Children understand their individual safety plans and follow them to stay safe in the community. Staff and the children write these plans, and this allows for children to manage their own risks safely. Consequently, risk-taking behaviours are decreasing in both frequency and severity.

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

Risk assessments are up to date and provide clear strategies to help staff manage and mitigate potential harm. Staff are highly knowledgeable about children’s plans and individual triggers, allowing them to provide targeted support during challenging times. As a result, staff successfully manage incidents through verbal redirection alone, eliminating the need for physical interventions.

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

Staff speak with the children about substance misuse and the effects taking drugs can have on the mind and body. These regular sessions highlight the seriousness of substance misuse and reinforce this message. Outside agencies work with the children to reinforce important safety messages.

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

There has been a reduction in children going missing from the home. The incidents are managed well through a multi-agency approach. Staff follow detailed plans to locate the child as quickly and safely as possible.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has demonstrated resilience throughout the home’s development, navigating historical leadership challenges effectively. Following a period of instability within the leadership team, a new management team is now in place. Staff speak highly of the manager and feel well supported by him. Together, the leadership team is committed to providing a home built on love and meaningful relationships. This ethos is reflected in the care delivered by the wider staff team to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from professionals, staff and children’s family members is consistently positive. All recognise the progress that the children are making while living in the home. One family member said, ‘I am so proud of [child’s name]. They have turned their life around, and I do believe it is because of staff who have helped them.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff said that their supervision sessions are highly beneficial. They offer valuable opportunities to reflect on childcare practices and enhance working knowledge. Additionally, these sessions focus on staff wellbeing and personal development, using personal targets that are reviewed in subsequent follow-up meetings. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 5 The manager identifies the home’s strengths. He attributes the children’s progress to the dedication and consistent hard work of the staff team. The manager is ambitious for the home’s future and maintains a clear development plan to target and improve areas that need support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Not all serious incidents have been notified to Ofsted. Consequently, the regulator cannot fully understand how these events are managed or monitor the effectiveness of managerial oversight. The regulator also cannot evaluate the lessons learned to minimise the risk of reoccurrence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 25 June 2026

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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: 2794799 7

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Children’s home details

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

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Responsible individual:

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2794799 8 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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Responsible individual:

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Responsible individual:

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Responsible individual:

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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