Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 1 SC390577 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this home. It is registered to provide care for up to three children with social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are two children living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023.

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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 outstanding

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good

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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good

Date of last inspection: 10 December 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/12/2019 Full Good 20/02/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 17/07/2018 Full Good 01/02/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has recently been refurbished and re-opened. Since opening two children have moved in. Most of the staff team are knowledgeable and experienced. New staff are provided with additional support from the manager and complete a comprehensive induction programme. The team are supported by a calm, nurturing and child focussed manager and two deputy managers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children say they ‘love’ living in this home. They know that staff care about them and keep them safe. They make good progress from their individual starting points. Children’s progress is supported by the consistent, nurturing care they receive from staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a pleasant and welcoming environment for children. It has a comfortable kitchen and a large living room overlooking a substantial garden. The home is decorated to a high standard. Children’s achievements are reflected, and photographs are on display throughout. Their bedrooms are personalised, and children are involved in choosing furnishing and decorations for both the internal and external spaces around the home. This promotes pride and belonging in the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to develop positive, trusting relationships with staff. The staff know the children well and are invested in promoting the best outcomes for them. Children speak very highly of their home describing it as ‘homely.’ One child said, ‘It’s the best place I’ve ever lived.’ Children have a good rapport with the staff and warm, fun and sincere relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to take part in everyday decisions and their wishes are considered. This has a positive impact in how children feel listened to and valued. Professionals are complimentary about the progress children make. One independent reviewing officer said, ‘[Childs name] is more settled and investing in where they are living.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children who have had complex early life experiences and disrupted attachments have specialist help provided to them in a timely manner. The staff have a good understanding of child development and trauma. The therapeutic model that is used has benefitted the children in building relationships. Children are well supported therapeutically.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to stay in touch with family members and are proactive in arranging and facilitating family time. This enables children to build on significant relationships and develop an ongoing sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education attendance has improved taking account of children’s individual starting positions. One child who did not previously attend school now attends regularly. An education professional who has known one of the children for many years said, ‘[child’s name] is so loved there, she comes in [to school] and is buzzing about what she’s done with staff.’ Children make good progress with their education. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 4

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

The staff team understand children’s risks. Risks are reviewed and strategies to keep children safe are adapted. Over time, risks are reducing for children. This means that they gain a higher level of independence. Children’s progress is not linear, but risks have reduced from children’s starting points.

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

Children have not always had positive relationships with each other. When conflict has been evident, staff have managed children’s behaviours extremely well. Staff use positive reinforcement and incentives to promote positive behaviour. This motivates children to achieve and increases their self-esteem.

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

There has only been one physical intervention. This was an essential intervention to keep the child safe. When this happened, the manager had good oversight and spoke with staff and children afterwards to ensure that they were both feeling okay.

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

Children have used mobile phones and television streaming services to contact unsafe adults. Staff have taken safeguarding steps to restrict this use and keep children safe.

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

There have been incidents of children going missing from the home. The provider has improved staff practice to minimise any further incidents.

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

Staff support children to manage suicide ideation and self-harm. A multi-disciplinary response ensures children receive support and strategies to manage risk. The manager is working innovatively and creatively with the therapeutic team to promote children’s emotional well-being.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is nurturing of both staff and children. She is extremely child focussed and inspirational. She knows the children very well. She has high expectations for children’s progress and achievements. The manager aims to provide safe, stable, loving care to the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Arrangements to ensure there is a highly skilled and qualified workforce are strong. Staff benefit from comprehensive training offered by the company. The manager invests in the professional development of the team to improve the quality of care provided to the children. A wide range of training enables staff to develop their knowledge and skills to meet children’s individual needs. The manager promotes an educative culture in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Supervision and appraisal arrangements are excellent. Rigorous supervision enables managers to support staff, identify training needs and monitor the quality of care provided to children. Staff knowledge is tested through quizzes and scenario-based tasks. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 5 Team meetings are well attended. They provide staff with opportunities to discuss the children at length and reflect on their care. This helps them to think about how best to support them. This supports them in their role and contributes to high morale among staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team are dedicated to the children. Staff describe ‘loving’ working at the home and say they are ‘proud’ of the work they do. The staff team is enthusiastic and committed to provide excellent care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Effective partnership work ensures that children’s care plans are progressed. The manager strongly advocates for the children and escalates her concerns when children’s needs are not met. Professionals say that the staff provide excellent care for the children. The manager maintains a child focus and ensures that plans made for them are highly individual to their needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 6

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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: SC390577 7

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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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Inspectors

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Paulette Forbes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC390577 8 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

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