Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC069198 1 SC069198

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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 children’s home is one of a number of 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

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

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2017. She holds the relevant qualification.

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This monitoring visit

This visit was carried out remotely and included a virtual tour of the home. The focus of the visit was to establish how children are kept safe and to monitor the progress made since the last inspection. Children living in the home were spoken to during the visit.

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This monitoring visit

The three children currently living in the home are all making progress and those around them are highly positive about the care they are receiving.

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This monitoring visit

The home is a welcoming environment for children. It is decorated and furnished to a high standard throughout. Children said that they are included in decisions about the decor and furnishings. Their bedrooms are personalised and reflect their individual tastes. The manager ensures that any damage to the home is quickly repaired and, when appropriate, encourages children to help with repairs as part of their reparation.

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This monitoring visit

Children said that they are safe and like living in the home. They are supported to develop trusting relationships with staff who understand them. Children benefit from clear, consistent boundaries and routines. They are encouraged to make safer Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC069198 2 choices through direct work and key-worker sessions that help them to understand risks. One child said, ‘The best thing about the home is the staff. They are like my family. Actually, they are my family. I can talk to them about anything; they really help me.’

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This monitoring visit

Transitions into and out of the home are planned and positive. Matching processes are robust and fully consider the impact of group-living dynamics and the needs of children already living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Communication is excellent. Professionals and parents said that they are kept informed about what is going on for their child. The team has creatively adapted different communication styles to capture the wishes and feelings of all children living in the home. One social worker said that they are happy their child is living at the home, and that the consistency, empathy and clear boundaries the team displays are having a positive impact on the child.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s healthcare needs are understood. The team works therapeutically and regularly consults with the organisation’s therapy team and wider system to meet children’s individual needs. Children are encouraged to engage in education, and staff are proactive in speaking to education providers to support children’s attendance and achievements.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding incidents are well managed. Staff understand risks and are able to respond appropriately to incidents where children go missing or display self-harming behaviours. Incident reports are detailed and there are robust risk- and behaviour- management plans in place that support staff to keep children safe. All plans are regularly reviewed and updated as required. The manager failed to notify Ofsted of one serious incident of a child going missing from care.

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This monitoring visit

The home is managed by an experienced manager. The team benefits from her clear leadership and guidance. She has strong oversight of the home, and any practice issues are quickly identified and addressed.

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This monitoring visit

The team is consistent and child-centred. Staff said that they feel supported by the manager and wider organisation. They have access to a detailed induction, regular supervision and a comprehensive training programme that help them to care for children effectively.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 15/05/2019 Full Outstanding 28/08/2018 Full Outstanding 14/11/2017 Full Good 21/02/2017 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC069198 3

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Recommendation

 The registered person should notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)–(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 63, paragraph 14.0)

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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

Caroline Bertram, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC069198 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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