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 judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a significant change since the last inspection. The registered manager has moved to another home within the company and a new manager has been appointed. Prior to the registered manager’s departure, a thorough handover took place. This enabled the new manager to develop an understanding of the young people’s needs, and establish her position within the staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager and her staff have acknowledged that the home has experienced an unsettled period with two young people exhibiting challenging behaviour. The manager has taken necessary steps, where appropriate within the organisation, to escalate concerns effectively to ensure that young people receive the support they need. After exhausting all options, it was agreed that one young person would be moved to a sister home. Staff understand that transitions for young people are important and can be difficult. Transition records demonstrate that staff worked with the social worker, young person and staff from the other home to support the move and make it a positive experience. In addition, staff have maintained appropriate levels of contact with the young person. This has helped him settle into his new home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The current young person living in the home moved there within the last six months. He benefits from an experienced staff group who demonstrate a commitment to meeting his needs and keeping him safe. As a result, he is making good progress relative to his individual circumstances and the time living in the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team work hard to help the young person understand the importance of a good education. Consequently, the young person is making good progress in his educational development and attainment. The manager, in relation to the young person, said, ‘He is doing well in college and is making progress. Additional support is in place to help him with subjects such as English and maths; this has helped him to overcome barriers to his learning. We have good working relationships with college and this further supports his progress.’ There is clear evidence that staff take an active interest in the young person’s education. They attend college events and meetings. This provides further stability, open communication and positive outcomes for the young person.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff continue to encourage the young person to develop appropriate peer relationships and widen his friendship group. Staff take a parent-like approach to ensuring that these friendships are positive and safe. Staff recognise talents and interests, and provide the young person with the right environment in which to develop these. For example, staff have sourced a keep-fit class and other structured activities for the young person to enjoy with his friends. This is having a positive impact on the young person’s health, confidence and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The young person’s needs, vulnerabilities, risks and behaviours are clearly outlined in risk management and behaviour management plans. Well thought out strategies, many influenced by the in-house therapy team, are used to keep the young person and staff safe. Generally these are well implemented by staff who take their safeguarding roles and responsibilities seriously. However, during the inspection it was identified that on at least two occasions, staff failed to take prompt action and report a safeguarding concern. For example, in one case a concern was not reported to the manager for three days. This does not prioritise the safety of young people. In addition, it hinders professionals from effectively carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities to ensure that young people are protected from harm. The manager has acknowledged this shortfall and taken some steps to improve practice. That said, this is a clear breach of regulation and requires further

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Not all staff complete incident reports with sufficient rigor. Records offer a limited overview of the incident and no information about the action taken or subsequent outcome. Records made in this way do not stand up to scrutiny in the event of an investigation. Furthermore, this means that not all internal records are robustly monitored by the manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff report that they feel the manager is approachable and they are well supported in their role. Appropriate development opportunities are in place and this enables the staff team to feel confident in their practice. Records confirm that staff receive regular supervision, and staff confirm that the manager operates an open- door policy and is always available to them. This means that staff can access additional support and guidance as and when required.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths of the service, and the areas for continued development, and she is committed to driving forward change. She has acknowledged the shortfalls identified in this inspection and has appropriately identified how these can be addressed. This will ensure that the home continues to improve for the benefit of young people.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is one of a number of children’s homes operated by a private company. The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to two young people who may need support with their emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/09/2016 Full Good 01/03/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 29/09/2015 Full Good 20/11/2014 Full Good

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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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the protection of children standard, the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

(2)(a)(v) staff understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person.

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Requirement Due date

With specific reference to taking prompt action to report and record safeguarding concerns. 01/05/2017

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Requirement Due date

13: The leadership and management standard

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Requirement Due date

In order to meet the leadership and management standard the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

(1)(h) use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

With reference to maintaining robust records within the home, specifically incident records. 01/05/2017

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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 that 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

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

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