Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 1 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 home is privately owned and registered to provide care for up to three children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. If required, children can access the organisation’s school and therapy department.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since the home registered in May 2020.

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Inspection date: 24 November 2021

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 24 November 2021

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judged that it has improved effectiveness.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A reflective and lessons learned approach means that the registered manager has suitably addressed four requirements and one recommendation from the previous inspection. These actions have improved the overall quality of care and safety for the two children living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A requirement was also made relating to the independent visitor’s monthly report. Although some progress is noted, the independent visitor’s statement regarding their view about whether children are effectively safeguarded and their well-being is promoted needs to be clear and less ambiguous.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Plans to admit a third child have been put on hold until the vacancies in the team can be filled. This decision has improved continuity of care by reducing the reliance on staff being used in the home from across the company.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Changes have been made to the way that referral information is gathered and evaluated. It is difficult to assess the true impact of these changes as no children have been considered for admission. However, if used effectively, they should enable the manager to better assess whether the next child’s needs can be met without detriment to the children already living at the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is much more settled than previously reported. Issues of incompatibility between the children living at the home have reduced significantly following the discharge of one child. Relationships between the children are generally positive.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children are making progress relative to their individual plans. They are offered good support that is enabling them to engage in education, keep in touch with the important people in their lives and learn how to become more independent.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers and staff understand their safeguarding roles and responsibilities. Unsafe situations and risk-taking behaviours seen previously have reduced significantly. However, concerns relating to cannabis use remain a major concern for one child. There is good evidence that staff have tried a range of educational, incentivised and multi-agency approaches that have so far been ineffective in changing this behaviour. Strategies are in place to ensure that there is a safe response to the child being under the influence. For example, it is standard practice to seek and follow medical advice and maintain frequent checks on the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

18/08/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 4

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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 independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being. (Regulation 44 (4)(a)(b)) 29 December 2021

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 5

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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 OL12 9EN

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Inspectors

Paul Scott, Social Care Inspector Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2570481 6 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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