Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC361811 1 SC361811

p.1

Meadows Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

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 three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. A child living in the home has reached the age of 18 and continues to be supported by the staff.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

If required, children can access the organisation’s therapy department and school.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The current manager was registered on 19 November 2020 and is working towards the relevant qualification.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This visit took place off site and included a virtual tour of the home. The young people living in the home were spoken to during the visit. The focus of the visit was to ensure that children are safe and that their needs are being met.

p.1

This monitoring visit

This home is a warm and nurturing environment for children. It is bright, airy and nicely decorated throughout. Children’s bedrooms are personalised to reflect their tastes.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children say they feel happy and safe, and like living in the home. They benefit from trusting relationships with staff who care and understand them. Clear and consistent boundaries are in place, which help children to make positive choices.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Professionals and parents say that the care and communication provided by the team are excellent. A social worker said, ‘They are brilliant; I really can’t fault them. They are proactive in supporting [name of child] in all areas of her life.’ Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC361811 2 The challenges imposed by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic have been managed well. Guidance and expectations around hygiene practices are clear. The transition plan for the young adult living in the home has been delayed due to the pandemic. The team is continuing to support her and are facilitating a virtual transition plan. Children are helped to maintain contact with people who are important to them through the use of technology and socially distanced visits.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Safeguarding practices are strong. Incidents are managed effectively and reported to other agencies as required. There has been a reduction in the number of incidents as staff are frequently able to divert children from episodes of going missing from home or self-harming behaviours.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Working as part of the wider system, the team manages the balance between age- appropriate independence and risk effectively. Direct-work sessions with children are tailored to their individual needs and focus on supporting them to make safer choices.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff provide high levels of supervision and are able to talk to children about the issues that are affecting them. Following safeguarding incidents in the home, the registered manager has reviewed internal policies and implemented strategies to strengthen practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Detailed risk and behaviour management plans are in place to support staff to keep children safe. The registered manager is taking appropriate action to address minor recording gaps identified during the visit.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The registered manager is highly regarded by children, their families, other professionals and the staff team. She is supported by team leaders who are able to deputise in her absence. Together, they provide clear leadership and guidance.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The team is stable and includes staff from different gender groups. Staff are suitably qualified or working towards the relevant qualification. They benefit from a thorough induction process, quality supervision and relevant training. The manager is working towards their relevant qualification. There is an up-to-date training matrix in place.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The recommendations made at the previous inspection have been met.

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/01/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 04/06/2019 Full Good 14/08/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 27/06/2017 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC361811 3

p.2

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information clearly to reduce the risk of it being misinterpreted. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

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

p.3

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

p.3

Children’s home details

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

p.3

Inspector

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC361811 4 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.

p.3

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.4

Inspector

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

p.4

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.4