Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report children’s home: SC066560 1 SC066560 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This 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 three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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

Since the last inspection, the registered manager has been absent for a period of time. Prior to her absence, the manager actively reviewed the quality of care. She identified areas for development in the home. The manager had good oversight of the quality of care that the young people receive, and appropriate monitoring systems are in place. The team leaders have stepped up during this time and ensured that most of the management tasks have been covered. Moving forward, a registered manager from another home in the company has now taken over the management of this home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people are at different points in their development, but are all making good progress, relative to their time living in the home. This is because they are well Inspection report children’s home: SC066560 2 supported by staff who have a good understanding of their needs.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

One young person has moved out of the home in a planned way. She has moved to semi-independent living. This has been a positive move for her. Two other young people have been welcomed into the home and have settled in well.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have made progress in education and are all attending school or college. One young person attending college is aspirational about her future. Inspectors observed staff supporting this young person with her coursework to ensure that she can achieve her potential.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff suitably address the needs of young people who self-harm, and the incidents are well managed. There have only been two incidents of physical intervention. These were low-level and used to safeguard the young person from harm.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people spoken to during the inspection feel safe and protected living in the home. One young person was frequently going missing in his previous home and he has only gone missing once from this home. Staff work hard with the young people on this issue, and another young person has not had a missing episode since January 2019.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

During the inspection, it was noted that staff work well with partner agencies to support the progress of the young people living in the home. There has been close liaison between the staff from the home and staff from the college and school. This has ensured that the young people can access the most suitable timetable to meet their education needs. The young people also benefit from in-house therapists who provide one-to-one support to the young people. The therapists also provide the staff with valuable strategies for caring for the young people.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The staff team has taken effective action to address most of the requirements and recommendations made during the last inspection. Each young person has an identified education provision suitable to their individual needs. Staff benefit from regular supervision and staff now understand what constitutes a regulation 40 notification.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is evidence of damp in the bathroom, which needs to be rectified, and some house repairs are required. House keys also need to be kept securely to prevent unauthorised access, and a requirement has been made to address these shortfalls. Inspection report children’s home: SC066560 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/07/2018 Full Good 15/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 07/11/2017 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/02/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness

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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, 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

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, repair all the damage and damp in the bathroom, redecorate where necessary and ensure that the house keys are kept securely. 23/04/2019 Inspection report children’s home: SC066560 4

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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 address: Meadows Care Ltd, Egerton House, Wardle Road, Rochdale OL12 9EN

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Inspectors

Jenny Brady, social care inspector Ceri Evans, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC066560 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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