Children's Home run by Rochdale Borough Council in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 1 SC034851 Registered provider: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority and is registered to provide care for up to five children. The home’s statement of purpose states that care is provided for children between the ages of 11 and 17 years with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties .

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered in April 2021.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/06/2022 Full Inadequate 21/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 08/07/2019 Full Good 03/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is currently one child living in the home. Before the child moved into the home, they came to visit, and staff spent time getting to know them. This was a positive experience for the child and helped to ease any anxieties they may have had.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the child well and have built positive relationships with them. Throughout the inspection, positive interaction between the child and staff was observed. The child was comfortable and relaxed in their home. When the child experienced difficult feelings, staff were available to offer reassurance.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There are clear health plans in place. The child is registered with local health services. The staff and manager advocate on behalf of the child and promote a healthy lifestyle in the home. As a result of these factors, the child’s physical health has improved and all their health appointments are up to date.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff and manager are ambitious for the child. They support them to attend and do well in education. When education has not been in place, the manager has liaised with schools. This has ensured that clear plans are in place to support educational activity. As a result of this, the child is making progress from their starting point. One teacher commented, ‘You can tell that the manager and staff really care.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has a variety of interests and hobbies. From this, they have formed friendships and learned new skills. The focus on activities has also helped to improve the child’s self-esteem. The child recently won an award at a rugby awards ceremony, for the most improved player.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff know and understand the child’s risks. They work with external professionals to identify and appropriately assess new risks for the child. The manager ensures that risk management plans are individualised and up to date. However, the documents contain a chronology of current and historical events. This can become confusing for the reader.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When the child presents with new risk-taking behaviours, the manager and staff respond proactively. The manager ensures that the child is provided with regular advice and guidance. However, direct work is not carried out in a planned way.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff use restraint as a last resort. Following a restraint, the manager ensures that the child and staff are provided with opportunities to reflect. The manager reviews records of restraint. This helps to support staff to improve restraint practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 4 Investigations into allegations are thorough and managed in line with statutory guidance. Information is promptly shared with appropriate agencies. Support is provided to those involved. This results in improved practice response and ensures transparency.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A qualified and committed manager leads the home. He has high ambitions for children. Two deputy managers share the registered manager’s ethos and aspirations for the children. This filters through to the staff and promotes the child’s successes and achievements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The management oversight in the home has significantly improved since the last inspection. The manager makes good use of audit tools and has implemented an analytical approach. He uses this approach to support the development of the staff team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and manager have regular supervision, including clinical supervision. Supervision sessions include reflection on staff practice and well-being. As a result, staff feel supported. This approach means managers have oversight of the staff’s strengths and weaknesses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are clear care plans in place for the child. The plans accurately reflect the child’s needs and future aims and include input from the child and external professionals. The manager regularly reviews the care plans. This results in the child’s progress being monitored effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the skills, knowledge and expertise of the staff team. All staff working in the home complete mandatory training. The manager provides extra staff training, which is in line with the child’s individual needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that planned direct work with children takes place more regularly. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.14)  The registered person should ensure that, when reviewing or implementing risk assessments, these documents remain child-centred and avoid becoming a chronology of events. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of child’s 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: SC034851 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU

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Inspectors

Kimmy Feeley, Social Care Inspector Sally Hallwood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC034851 7 to achieve excellence in the care of child’s 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 Child’s 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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