Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report children’s home: SC065189 1 SC065189 Registered provider: Meadows Care Ltd Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 three young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The two requirements and two good practice recommendations have been suitably addressed. Complaints records are completed fully, with a clear chronology of the action taken and outcome. Staff demonstrate a clear understanding of the statement of purpose, specifically the therapeutic models used at the home, and consistency within the staff team has improved. The manager limits staff moves from the home to cover organisational needs. This promotes stability for the young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The positive relationships between young people staff and each other is a strong feature of the home. These relationships enable young people to settle, form meaningful attachments and build confidence. When young people are new to the home, the registered manager ensures that child-focused decisions are made about matching. He obtains relevant information and considers the impact on the existing young people. He is skilled in making a well-informed evaluation, and as such the young people are very well matched and making good progress. Inspection report children’s home: SC065189 2 Professionals are complimentary about the relationships that the staff have with young people. They contribute the progress young people make to the high level of individual and care and support that they receive from the manager and staff team. One social worker said: ‘[Name] has come on leaps and bounds at this home. He has made good

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

progress as a direct result of the care he receives from staff. When I visits him he speaks fondly of staff and has clearly developed really positive relationships with number of them.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

In the main, young people are doing very well at school. However, for one young person recent disengagement from education has the potential to hinder future life chances. The manager is clear about his responsibilities in promoting education, including ensuring that barriers to participation are overcome. The manager along with the staff team work hard to maintain positive relationships with education providers, and this has been used effectively to address emerging concerns.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people’s risk assessments and behaviour management plans clearly outline strategies to ensure their welfare is promoted and protected. These plans are put into practice on a daily basis and address effectively young people’s needs and changing circumstances.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people become increasingly safe because staff really understand the risks associated with their behaviour. There have been no incidents of going missing since the last inspection. This represents significant progress for one young person who was frequently missing and putting herself at considerable risk prior to moving to this placement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The manager responds to and thoroughly investigates any serious incident effectively to ensure that swift action is taken. Significant events relating to the welfare and protection of young people are reported to the appropriate authorities. This ensures that key professionals are informed and take action to safeguard young people. Allegations against staff are reported to the correct professionals without delay. This ensures that young people are, and feel, protected.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home continues to benefit from a well-qualified, ambitious and enthusiastic registered manager. He demonstrates effective leadership and has clear aims and objectives as set out in the recently updated home development plan. The registered manager maintains regular oversight and monitoring of the home. He has a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home and is constantly striving to improve care practices. Effective monitoring is in place, and this contributes to ensuring that good quality care is provided to young people. The registered manager makes good use of feedback and obtains this effectively from young people, parents, staff and professionals. This provides useful information to help the ongoing development of the service.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There have been a number of staffing changes since the last inspection. However, the home is now staffed by a stable staff team who is committed to achieving best outcomes for young people. Staff feel well supported and enjoy working at the home. The Inspection report children’s home: SC065189 3 registered manager has a thorough understanding of the service and is working hard to develop the skills of his team. Staff continue to receive mandatory and specific training. Examples of recent training include self-harm, understanding of autistic spectrum disorder and safeguarding.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is well maintained, spacious and a welcoming environment. There is enough space for both communal activity and privacy. The home is pleasantly decorated and provides a relaxing atmosphere where young people can feel safe and well cared for.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2017 Full Good 05/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 10/05/2016 Full Requires improvement 22/02/2016 Interim Declined in effectiveness

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Meadows Care Ltd Inspection report children’s home: SC065189 4 Registered provider address: Meadows Care Ltd, Egerton House, Wardle Road, Rochdale OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Ceri Evans, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC065189 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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