Children's home run by Rochdale Borough Council in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 1 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 the local authority and is registered to provide care for up to four children. The home’s statement of purpose states it offers care to children on a short-term basis, alongside outreach support services.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/07/2022 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good 11/03/2020 Full Good 20/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 3

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outstanding

The committed team of staff genuinely care about the child. They strive to help the child achieve their full potential. Staff consult the child on all aspects of their care. The child is praised for their achievements. This encourages them to achieve their goals. Staff have identified that this approach works best with this child.

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outstanding

The quality of relationships between staff and the child is excellent. The nurturing staff team spends considerable time listening to the child. This has led to trusting, positive relationships. This helps the child to form strong attachments. The staff’s commitment to the child is exceptional. Professionals and carers say that staff will go above and beyond their roles.

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outstanding

Staff support the child to manage their feelings. Staff ensure that the child receives good support when they feel upset or anxious. Staff are not afraid to raise issues. They do this with sensitivity. This has resulted in open discussions about some difficult subjects. This has strengthened relationships and built trust between the child and staff.

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outstanding

Staff strive to achieve warm, nurturing and secure relationships with the child. Staff work with the child to break the cycle of concerning behaviours.

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outstanding

Children have positive moves out of this home, which are in line with their plans. The aim of the service is for children to return to live with their family. This has been successful. Staff understand the complexities of families. They work hard to get to know the people they support. This collaborative approach means that children have positive outcomes.

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outstanding

Staff safeguard the child effectively. This means that the child feels safe. They can identify a trusted person to talk to when they have any worries or concerns. The known and potential risks to the child are well understood by managers and staff. Risk assessments are clear, detailed and followed by staff. Regular key-work sessions are an effective way of speaking with the child about their risks. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to support the child. This helps to reduce risks to the child and promotes positive experiences.

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outstanding

Robust and comprehensive safeguarding practice keeps the child safe. Strong communication with professionals and the child’s family further promotes best practice. When the child moved in, they sometimes went missing from the home. The team of staff were persistent in trying to locate the child. Effective information- Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 4 sharing means that the child was found. As the child has settled, there has been a significant reduction in incidents of them going missing from home.

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outstanding

Staff training is comprehensive. It follows the provider’s specific model of care practice. Managers ensure that staff have the training to understand and carry out their role. Managers consider staff’s learning in a variety of ways. They have a team approach to problem-solving. This has supported the staff to develop together and share best practice. This means that the child receives excellent care.

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outstanding

When children make allegations, staff listen and act on their views. Staff follow safeguarding procedures to follow up on concerns. Managers nurture the staff team. The skilled manager wants staff to continually develop their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is a highly experienced residential care leader. He has been instrumental in creating and developing an integrated team. He has established excellent leadership of the home. The managers complement each other’s skill set. One member of staff said, ‘The management team is amazing; I have never worked for people who I have trusted as much in my working career.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There have been challenges before the manager moved to this home. The progress in all areas of the management of the home is evident and the staff have worked hard to make changes. The manager is child centred. He ensures that all children receive a model of care that meets their individual needs. The manager is aware of the home’s strengths and weaknesses.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff receive a comprehensive induction and ongoing training to build on their knowledge and skills. Staff engage in regular supervision which considers the child’s needs as a priority. Supervision provides an opportunity to support and challenge staff. This promotes their professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is a great deal of emphasis on the care of the staff team. Managers are clear that to provide effective care for the child, the staff also need to feel valued. The manager recognises staff’s good practice every week. This has increased positivity among the team. Staff are happier in their work, which enables them to provide exceptional care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers and staff continuously strive to make a positive difference in the child’s life. They advocate on the child’s behalf. Staff enjoy being positive role models for the child. There is an emphasis on praise for the child’s achievements. The manager has created an ethos for the home that is child centred. This results in an environment where the child can thrive. Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 5

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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: 1237582 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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Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1237582 7 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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