Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416464 1 SC416464

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Meadows Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is privately owned and is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children or young people who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out in response to an increased number of notifications received by Ofsted. The notifications related to the number of incidents of missing from home for some young people, and allegations made with regards to staff practice. This visit was conducted both on- and off-site, and children and young people were spoken to during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

Children and young people said they feel safe and supported at the home and that the staff spend time talking to them about keeping safe. One child said: ‘All the staff are really nice and everyone listens to me. I don’t get angry as often now.’

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This monitoring visit

Staff are given clear direction and support with regards to the actions they should take in order to reduce risks to young people. This direction is provided via young people’s risk management plans, which are detailed and regularly updated. However, when incidents of missing from home do occur, staff are not always consistent in their efforts in searching for young people. The manager is aware of this and has plans to address this with the staff team.

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This monitoring visit

Over time, young people’s propensity to engage in behaviours that may pose a risk to their safety and well-being decreases. Professionals spoken to consider that staff work hard at supporting young people to make safer choices and that this work is underpinned by a team-around-the-child approach. One social worker said: ‘There has been a significant reduction in missing from home incidents and this is down to the multi-agency approach that has been taken. The staff have been key to this. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416464 2 They have been proactive in their decision-making and reinforced the positive messages he [the child] needs to hear.’

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This monitoring visit

Since living at the home, some children have made progress in education. For example, one child now regularly attends school full time. For some young people who struggle to value the role education plays in their lives, staff work hard at encouraging their engagement and interest. This has included adjusting timetables in collaboration with educators and identifying courses that might better suit young people’s wishes and needs.

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This monitoring visit

Overall, allegations made by children and young people have been appropriately referred to other agencies and have been investigated. However, one notifiable incident was not referred to Ofsted for consideration.

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This monitoring visit

There are areas of the home that present as worn and in need of refurbishment. This detracts from the otherwise welcoming and homely feel of the house.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 11/02/2020 Full Good 22/08/2018 Full Good 07/02/2018 Interim Sustained effectiveness 16/05/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416464 3

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Statutory requirements

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.

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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

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

This particularly refers to staff adhering to young people’s risk assessments and searching for the young people in the areas identified in those assessments. 15 February 2021

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or person working there.

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that the home remains in good decorative order. In particular, ensure that scuffed and damaged paintwork is repaired, worn carpets are renewed and settees are replaced or repaired. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standard’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416464 4

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Egerton House, Wardle Road, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Pauline Yates, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC416464 5 to 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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