Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 1 Registered provider: Meadows Care 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

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have experienced childhood trauma.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 28 April 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 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: 10 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: 1240936 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/10/2023 Full Good 18/10/2022 Full Good 05/05/2021 Full Good 20/02/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of inspection, three children were living in the home. Two children had recently moved out, and the planning for these two children was managed well. One child was unhappy about a plan for them to move to a different area. The manager advocated well for the child, ensuring that their views were shared with the wider professional network. This resulted in the child moving to an area they were familiar with, helping them maintain links in the community.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children build positive and trusting relationships with staff who are committed to providing them with support and care in all areas of their lives. One child who left recently wrote to each member of the staff team, setting out how they had helped them and the impact that this had on their life. This highlights that staff take the time to get to know the children and are an integral part of the progress children make.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children make progress in education. One child’s attendance has significantly improved while living at the home. They have now taken their GCSEs and are being supported by staff to consider their future educational journey. This has been explored with the child in key-work sessions and has led to the child feeling supported in making these choices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is welcoming. Children have personalised their rooms, and they have space in the home where they can relax in communal areas. The home has undergone recent building work, which has added to the space provided to the children living there. In addition, there is a well-maintained garden area where there are goal posts for the children to play football and boxing equipment in an outside gym area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children take part in weekly meetings and are encouraged by staff to share their wishes and feelings. Staff respond promptly to any action points raised in these meetings. For example, one child requested a desk so that they could set up their gaming equipment, and this was provided. This supports children to feel that they can trust staff to follow through with their actions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some children need to take regular medication. There has been one incident when a child’s medication was not administered correctly after the correct protocols were not followed when booking it in. This resulted in the wrong dose being administered to the child for six days. When the registered manager was alerted to this issue, they took the necessary steps in response, including seeking medical advice and undertaking a thorough investigation. The child did not experience any physical or emotional impact from this error, and the manager has identified that the staff need to undertake further medication training so that it is not repeated. Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 4 The staff team is supported by the organisation’s therapeutic team to inform their practice, with an allocated therapist visiting each week. This means that the children’s emotional health needs are monitored and managed well.

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

The staff and the registered manager understand the risks to each child, and there are comprehensive risk management plans to manage these. These plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that staff have access to the information they need to keep children safe.

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

When children go missing from home, staff respond quickly and effectively so that the risk of harm to children is reduced. Responses are well coordinated with other professionals to assist in locating the child. Reflective discussions take place with children when they return home to ensure that their views are heard and to reduce the risk of children going missing again.

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

The registered manager takes action when needed to keep children safe. They have robust oversight of all incidents that occur, and following incidents, children are well supported to share their views.

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

Staff support children via creative key-work sessions, including to address behaviour needs and independence skills. One member of staff created a presentation to help a child recognise and understand that their conduct when attending live football matches was not acceptable. This allowed the child to reflect on their behaviour in a way that was meaningful for them.

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

The registered manager responds appropriately and in a timely manner when children make complaints. This good practice safeguards children while investigations are completed. As a result, children are reassured that staff will listen to them and act on any concerns they have.

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

Staff form positive relationships with children’s families, welcoming them into the home. As a result of this, children’s families feel supported and listened to. Family members are positive about the progress children are making and attribute this progress to the support given to children by staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child focused, knows the children well and has high aspirations for them. The registered manager understands children’s experiences, needs and risks and advocates on their behalf. They set high standards for themselves and the staff team and have a good understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home. When needed, the registered manager always takes action to hold staff to account when shortfalls are identified. This supports children’s care planning, well-being and progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 5 Staff have received training that is specific to their and the children’s needs. They receive regular supervision. Supervision sessions are reflective and practice related, enabling staff to develop their practice. Supervision is provided by staff who have attended the relevant training needed to facilitate supervision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the management team, saying that their professional development is encouraged and that the registered manager always makes time to listen to them. This has helped lead to good retention of staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has effective monitoring systems in place to review the quality of care. Audits are completed by the responsible individual, ensuring robust oversight of practice. When shortfalls are identified, the manager takes prompt and effective action.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak positively about the manager and the staff team, particularly in relation to effective communication. Professional feedback reflects that children are making progress, and that children’s well-being is being promoted by staff. Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 6

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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 registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)) 10 October2024

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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: 1240936 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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Inspector

Kate Savage, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1240936 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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