Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in Leeds

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033657 1 SC033657 Registered provider: Leeds City Council

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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 run by a local authority. It provides care for up to 5 children, who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

One child is currently living at the home. The child was not spoken with as they were busy.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a new manager in post since August 2026, but they are not yet registered with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

This home was judged as inadequate at the full inspection on 17 and 18 July 2026. As a result, requirements were issued under Regulation 12 (the protection of children standard), Regulation 13 (the leadership and management standard), Regulation 25 (fire precaution standard) and Regulation 40 (notification of a serious event).

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out to assess the progress in meeting the requirements.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has met the requirements issued under Regulation 12, 13 and 25. However, some of these improvements are in the early stages and it is not yet possible to fully assess the effectiveness of the changes the manager has put in place as these are not yet embedded. The provider has not demonstrated that the requirement under Regulation 40 has been met. This requirement has been restated.

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This monitoring visit

The manager has introduced a new handover tool for staff when they arrive to begin their working day. During these handover sessions, staff reflect on any recent incidents, discuss alternative approaches, and check on each other’s wellbeing. One Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033657 2 member of staff said that these meetings help them better understand children’s needs and behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

An upgraded management oversight document now helps to identify shortfalls in staff practice, as well as any concerning trends or patterns. These insights directly inform staff supervision sessions and professional development. To support this, all staff attend regular, informative team meetings. These meetings focus on making staff practice more consistent and support the implementation of a therapeutic model of care.

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This monitoring visit

Streamlined risk assessments focus on children’s current risks. This helps staff clearly understand immediate issues and the strategies required to manage them. Updated missing-from-home plans provide external professionals with important information to ensure that immediate action is taken if a child goes missing. In addition, staff have conversations with the child about how to better manage risks, including online safety and boundaries in personal relationships.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have hired a specialist to resolve ongoing fire door issues and ensure all future health and safety installations meet safety standards. To minimise fire risks in bedrooms, all have been fitted with fire-retardant furnishings and storage. Additionally, children are taught the dangers of indoor smoking and vaping, and this is explicitly set out in the house rules.

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This monitoring visit

The zero-tolerance message to children about bullying is reflected in the new children’s guide. To support this, children are told how to make a complaint should they experience bullying in the home. The manager has ensured staff understand what action to take should this happen in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Team meetings are a safe space for staff to reflect on practice where open and constructive challenge happens between staff which is held in a controlled environment. This helps staff to understand the importance of how working together consistently contributes to children living in harmony. To support staff’s learning they have received further training on safeguarding children, and how to report and record accurately and in a child friendly way. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033657 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/07/2026 Full Inadequate 17/02/2026 Full Good 24/09/2024 Full Good 23/08/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033657 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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(e) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b)) 23 November 2026

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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: SC033657 5

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033657 6 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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