Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 1 SC065072

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Registered provider: Time-Out Childrens Homes Limited

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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 private company. It provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. They both spoke to the inspector about their experiences living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2022.

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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

Date of last inspection: 31 October 2023

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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: SC065072 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

31/10/2023 Full Good 08/08/2022 Full Good 19/10/2021 Full Outstanding 23/07/2019 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive a high standard of care from staff who understand their needs well. One child has lived in the home for nearly four years and the other for two years. One child described their experience of living in the home as great. Relationships between staff and children are positive. Children say they can talk to staff, and that they feel listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support and encourage children with education and are ambitious for children to do well. One child who did not previously engage with school now routinely attends education and is thriving. Staff advocated for another child to receive alternative education to meet their needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s interests are encouraged and nurtured. Both children attend weekly activities of their choice including football training, swimming, and horse riding. Staff take children on day trips and on holidays abroad.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff regularly transport children to visit family members. One child’s social worker said the staff ‘go above and beyond’ to ensure a child maintains regular contact with their sister.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy good physical health. Staff understand children’s healthcare needs and support children to attend health appointments. Children are encouraged to be active and to eat healthy meals which children help to plan and cook.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a modern and spacious home. It is homely and well maintained throughout. There is ample room for children to relax and spend time together or apart. Children’s bedrooms are comfortable and personalised.

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

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are known and understood. Their risk plans are individualised, thorough, and clear. Staff know how to respond should risks arise and adapt their practice to try different approaches when needed.

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

Staff are trained in a therapeutic model and supported by a therapeutic team. Children are offered individual weekly support from a therapist to help them understand and manage their experiences and behaviours. A therapist joins the monthly team meetings to give staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice and to discuss new ideas to ensure that children’s needs are met.

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

There has been an increase in children going missing from the home since the last inspection. However, when this happens, staff act quickly to try and locate children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 4 Staff follow individual plans for each child and communicate effectively with other professionals to share information.

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

Complex and high-level risk-taking behaviours are well managed by staff. Staff work well together with other agencies to ensure that children are safe and protected.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted, and staff use creative ways to reward children which children respond well to. Children receive help and support to manage their feelings and behaviour safely. However, staff do not always agree about the type of consequence to use if needed.

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

Children are supported to develop their understanding of issues that may affect them. However, their views are not always captured on documents which means their level of understanding may be missed.

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

Safer recruitment practices are in place to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed effectively by an experienced and child-centred manager. She is accessible to staff and is fully involved in the children’s lives. The manager has high expectations for herself and the staff. She is committed to improving outcomes for children and is a strong advocate for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff experiences of working in the home are mixed. Most staff members feel supported by the management team. One member of staff said the manager is ‘marvellous’ and another that she is very supportive and approachable. However, there have been inconsistencies in staffing at times and team members do not always work consistently which impacts on children’s experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings and supervision sessions are regular and effective. They focus on the children’s well-being and progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff members experience a thorough induction programme. Staff continue to benefit from regular training opportunities to keep their knowledge and skills up to date. This equips staff to meet the needs of the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager regularly monitors the quality of care provided to the children. She is organised and has robust systems in place to help track patterns and progress. This enables her to understand the home’s strengths and areas for development. Her comprehensive oversight of the home ensures that ongoing improvements are made. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 5

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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, The 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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child.

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the registered person must ensure that staff work together and that their responses to children are consistent. 5 September

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff record information, such as children’s views in a way that is helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards’ page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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) Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 6 Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Time-Out Childrens Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Ripponden Mill, Mill Fold, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 4DH

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Dominic Macauley

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Inspector

Zillah Brooks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 8 regulates and inspects 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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