Children's Home run by Leeds City Council in LeedsOfsted inspection, 10 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 1 Registered provider: Leeds City Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

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

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with both children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2025.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 30 September 2025

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 3

p.2

Summary of findings

Children experience good-quality care delivered by a committed and child-centred team of staff. They make good progress from their starting points and benefit from positive relationships, effective support and strong advocacy. Leaders and managers provide clear direction and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Safeguarding practice is effective, and staff respond effectively to children’s individual risks and needs. One shortfall has been identified in relation to fire safety arrangements, which requires attention to ensure the safe evacuation of children and staff should an emergency arise.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have made good progress from the point each of them moved to the home. Care and support are tailored to each child’s individual needs, experiences and aspirations. Children are supported to achieve important milestones, including developing independence and managing transitions. During periods of emotional or mental health difficulty, staff provide consistent care, support and nurture. Staff demonstrate patience and resilience, helping children to feel valued and achieve positive outcomes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Positive relationships between children and staff contribute to children’s continued progress and wellbeing. Staff take time to understand each child and develop meaningful relationships at a pace that meets their individual needs. Children identify trusted adults who provide consistent support and guidance. Staff adapt their approaches and respond to children’s changing needs, which strengthens relationships. Staffing arrangements are adjusted when appropriate to maintain continuity and provide reassurance when children experience difficult periods.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s experiences of education have been varied. However, staff remain committed to promoting educational engagement and achievement. Support is tailored to each child’s individual circumstances, balancing educational progress with their emotional and mental wellbeing. Staff work closely with education professionals and advocate for appropriate provision when barriers to learning arise. Staff’s persistence in identifying suitable opportunities demonstrates a strong commitment to children’s future development.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children express their views with confidence and raise concerns when they are unhappy with any aspect of their care. Staff listen to and explore these concerns and ensure that children understand the outcomes. Learning from concerns informs practice and is shared with staff when appropriate. This helps children feel heard, respected and valued.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Preparing children for adulthood is an important focus of staff in the home. Staff support children to develop the practical and emotional skills needed for increasing their independence. Individual sessions help children build confidence in areas such as money Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 4 management and daily living skills. Children are also helped to understand the challenges associated with independent living and how these may affect their wellbeing. Staff promote positive family and peer relationships to strengthen support networks for children’s futures.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has continued to improve since the last inspection. It provides a warm, comfortable and welcoming environment that is maintained to a good standard. Planned investment will further enhance the living environment. Development plans are informed by children’s needs and interests, promoting a personalised approach to care. As a result, children develop a sense of ownership, belonging and pride in their home.

p.4

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

Children have experienced some significant incidents during the inspection period, often linked to their emotional wellbeing. Staff respond appropriately, sensitively and professionally, placing children’s welfare at the centre of their practice. Individual risks are well understood and clearly reflected in plans. Staff follow these plans consistently and adapt their responses to changing circumstances. This supports children to remain safe and receive the support they need.

p.4

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

Missing-from-home and unauthorised absence incidents are managed effectively. Staff follow agreed procedures and take appropriate action to support children’s safe return. Any shortfalls in practice are identified by managers and used as opportunities for staff learning and improvement. Staff continue their efforts to locate and communicate with children, seeking police support only when necessary. Information from return home interviews is used to review plans, strengthen risk management and reduce the likelihood of future missing-from-home incidents.

p.4

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

Positive behaviour is promoted through the appropriate use of consequences and incentives. Responses are proportionate and tailored to children’s individual circumstances. Staff help children reflect on their actions and understand the impact of their behaviour. Incentive schemes are adapted to each child’s needs, interests and level of understanding. Managers continue to review and develop these approaches to ensure that they remain meaningful and effective.

p.4

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

Allegations are taken seriously and managed appropriately. Staff respond promptly to concerns and consult safeguarding professionals when required. Children’s views are listened to and acted on, helping them feel heard and protected. Managers review practice and identify learning to support improvement. This contributes to a culture where safeguarding remains a priority.

p.4

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

Fire safety arrangements do not fully support the safe evacuation of children and staff in an emergency. External fire exits are locked during the night, meaning children rely on staff to unlock doors. Some internal fire doors are also routinely held open during the day and require manual intervention to operate as intended. Although regular checks are carried out, evacuation procedures place considerable reliance on staff actions. This Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 5 increases the risk of delays and does not provide sufficient assurance that all occupants can leave the home safely in the event of a fire.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager provides strong leadership and maintains a clear focus on improving children’s experiences and progress. Practice is child centred and informed by a clear understanding of each child’s individual circumstances. The deputy manager shares this commitment, and together they provide effective guidance and support to the staff team. Staff describe managers as ‘approachable, dependable and supportive’. This promotes a positive culture in which staff feel valued and confident in their roles.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Relationships with professionals and families are positive and support effective partnership working. Communication is consistent and focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for children. The manager advocates strongly when services do not meet children’s needs or when concerns arise relating to the quality of support provided. This includes challenging decisions and promoting access to appropriate services and resources. As a result, children benefit from coordinated support that remains focused on their welfare and future development.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are provided with training that meets regulatory requirements and reflects the individual needs of children living in the home. Staff report that training has enhanced their knowledge, skills and confidence, particularly in relation to self-harm and emotional wellbeing. This is evident in discussions with staff and in the quality of care provided. Supervision session records and incident reports demonstrate how learning is applied in practice. Consequently, staff are well equipped to provide safe, informed and consistent care.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Arrangements for staff supervision sessions are used effectively to promote reflective practice and professional development. Sessions are reflective and focus on children’s progress, staff performance and any areas of concern. Managers provide guidance, challenge and support that help staff to develop their practice. Staff describe these sessions as ‘constructive’ and report feeling empowered to raise concerns when necessary. Records demonstrate that these discussions contribute to continuous improvement.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are used effectively to promote consistency across the home. Discussions focus on children’s current needs, significant incidents and emerging concerns. Staff share information about risks, triggers and strategies that help children make progress. Meetings also provide opportunities to review practice and identify improvements. This helps to ensure that children receive consistent and well-informed care from staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 6

p.5

Statutory requirement

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

p.6

Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home;

p.6

Requirement Due date

provide adequate means of escape from the home in the event of fire. (Regulation 25 (1)(a)(b)) 10 December 2026

p.6

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: 2821932 7

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Deirdre Silkstone, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2821932 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

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 .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8