Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged Good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last full inspection in May 2015 the service has maintained the quality of care provided to young people. There were three requirements made at the last inspection. The Registered Manager has made good progress in addressing these. Improvements have been made to the manner in which progress is monitored and evaluated; in-house placement plans are now more personalised and clearly highlight the needs of young people and, where appropriate life story work is undertaken.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Transition to and from the home is well managed. Young people are usually able to visit the home prior to moving in. This helps reduce any anxieties they may have about the move. Referrals to the home are routinely assessed by the manager with regards to matching requirements and suitability. Careful thought is given to the potential impact on the other young people currently living in the home. The admission risk assessment is now more detailed and offers an overview of how the home plans to manage the group dynamic. This enables the manager to make more informed decisions about admissions.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people enjoy living in this home. They benefit from placement stability which gives them a sense of security. The quality of relationships remains a key strength. Young people benefit enormously from living in a caring environment where staff are intuitive, creative and treat young people with unconditional positive regard. Staff are clearly child centred and are very skilful at engaging young people. This home provides a firm foundation that enables young people to live out their childhood in a safe, secure and caring environment. One young person commented: ‘the good thing about here is the staff, they really help me out. They listen to me and I get on well with both my key workers. It’s very different to the last place I lived, but different in a good way.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

All young people engage in education and take an active interest in their learning. There is strong evidence that education is highly valued and promoted by staff. There is an aspirational culture within the home that helps young people to aim high. Young people are given every opportunity to thrive educationally and as a result, they have genuine aspirations and goals for their future lives. The staff team are alert and responsive to the particular vulnerabilities of young people and take measured steps to keep them safe. This protects young people from risky situations in the community. On the whole, missing episodes have reduced; this is largely due to the departure of one young person. That said, when missing incidents have occurred there is good evidence in records that staff respond effectively. This ensures that young people return home safe and well in the shortest amount of time. Staff actively talk with young people about risky

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

behaviour and undertake lots of project work around safety and protection. For example; projects on on-line safety, child sexual exploitation and other matters that pose a risk to their health and personal safety. Good inter agency work between the home, safeguarding professionals and the police continues to minimise opportunities for young people to partake in risk taking behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager and the Deputy Manager provide visible leadership. Both maintain thorough oversight of care practices and have an excellent understanding of the individual needs of the young people accommodated in the home. The manager routinely monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of the service. She makes good use of a range of quality assurance tools which enable her to evaluate the impact the service is having on the lives of young people. Staff continue to be well supported through frequent team meetings, training and supervision. This ensures that care practice is up to date and well informed.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of this inspection one requirement has been made. This relates to ensuring that identification of all visitors to the home is appropriately checked by staff. Furthermore, the reason for their visit should be ascertained and understood. Currently, this shortfall has not impacted negatively on young people. That said, it has the potential to undermine the safety and protection of young people and staff within the home.

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Information about this children's home

This is a privately run children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to two young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

13/01/2015 CH - Interim sustained effectiveness

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, 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

In order to meet the protection of children standard with particular reference to keeping children safe and enabling them to keep themselves safe, the registered person must-

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Requirement Due date

(2) (b) that the home's day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. With particular reference to ensuring that visitors to the home are appropriately checked and vetted and their reason for the visit clearly understood by staff. 18/02/2016

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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