Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 1 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated and managed by private provider.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

It offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/07/2023 Full Good 08/06/2022 Full Good 29/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a warm, welcoming and homely environment for children to live. Children speak positively about the staff and each other. The children enjoy a range of different activities both inside and outside the home. They are encouraged to bring friends and people who are important to them to visit the home, this contributes to the overall family feel of this home. All three children were spoken with.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are making progress in education. One child has completed and passed their GCSE’s, while another has successfully reintegrated back into education after a period of absence. The children take pride in their academic achievements, and they express aspirations for their future careers. One tutor said, ‘[Name of child] is doing great. They are working really hard to catch up and is now planning to go to college.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children spend quality time with their family and people who are important to them. The staff take the time to get to know these people, as they know these relationships for the children are important. The children’s families speak positively about the staff, and they are confident that their children are happy. One parent said, ‘I cannot believe how far the child has come along. [Name of child] is well guided by them [the staff]’.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to be their own person. The staff help children to understand their world, their identity, their culture and religion. Through meaningful conversations, children are guided to appreciate diversity, understand differences and this creates mutual respect. The home promotes a culture where children learn to celebrate and value each other’s unique backgrounds and experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff encourage healthy lifestyles and positive choices for the children. The children engage in direct work to address different topics such as healthy relationships, peer pressure and personal care. However, direct work on the dangers of vaping and the health benefits of not vaping in the home are not yet effective for two children.

p.3

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

Children’s safety is a priority for the staff. The staff demonstrate a proactive approach to managing risks. Risk assessments are live documents that are regularly reviewed and updated in response to any changes in risk. These assessments provide staff with clear strategies to follow to help keep children as safe as possible.

p.3

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

Children say that they feel safe in the home. Staff recognise when children are upset or distressed. The staff are attentive and respond appropriately. During these times, the staff show compassion and care to the children. This helps the children to feel safe, understood and reassured. Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 4 Children are supported to take safe, age-appropriate risks that support their development and build important life skills. This includes keeping safe online and when out in the community. The staff promote resilience by helping children to learn from any mistakes that they may make.

p.3

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

Allegations made by the children are taken seriously by the manager. A thorough investigation is completed, and the appropriate safeguarding agencies are informed. The children are supported through the process and their voices are heard. Children are helped to understand any outcomes and appropriate actions are put in place.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has been well supported in her transition into the role, ensuring that children continue to feel supported throughout the period of change. The staff express positive views about her leadership, and report that she works hard to ensure that the children are provided with consistent and quality care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals speak positively about the manager. They say that she has established a positive learning culture in the home. Staff say that they feel well supported in reflecting on their practice and developing their skills. This reflective approach directly benefits the children and helps them to continue to make progress.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager spends regular time with the children. She has consistent and meaningful interactions with them. This ensures that she knows them well and understands their individual needs. The children speak positively about her. One child said, ‘When she says no, we know she means it. When she says yes, she makes sure she does it.’ This approach helps the children to trust her, and they know that she has their best interests at the centre of her practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Thorough and effective management monitoring systems are in place. These tools allow the leaders and managers to have full oversight of what is happening in the home. The manager quickly identifies any shortfalls, and these are acted on.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from training that is tailored to the specific needs of each child living in the home. This ensures that the staff are well-equipped to respond to the diverse needs of the children. Further support is offered to the staff from the provider’s clinical team. This promotes individualised care and support for the children. This helps the staff to have a deeper understanding of the children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 5

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff encourage the children to take a proactive role in looking after their day-to-day health and well-being. In particular, the registered person should ensure that effective plans to reduce the children’s use of vapes are implemented. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.10)

p.5

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: 2560639 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Egerton House, Wardle Road, Rochdale, Lancashire OL12 9EN

p.6

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alison O’Donnell

p.6

Inspector

Jo Birtwhistle, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2560639 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7