Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Birmingham

Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 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 owned by a private organisation and is registered to provide care for up to four children with complex emotional and social needs due to past trauma.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account good How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/07/2023 Full Good 12/12/2022 Full Good 09/11/2021 Full Good 31/07/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of inspection, two children were living in the home. Extensive planning took place to ensure that the home was suitable for both children before they moved in. Both children benefited from a period of introductions and visits, and they were well supported to get to know the home environment and staff.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have left the home since the last inspection. These children received a high level of support from managers in relation to challenging the plan for them to leave, as it was not in line with their wishes and feelings. The children were supported by the manager in making a complaint to their placing authority when the move went ahead.

p.3

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 made a Mother’s Day card and wrote to all the female members of staff outlining why they were important to them. This demonstrates the strength of the relationships staff have built with children.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children understand the importance of education. One child had not been in education for three years before moving to the home. This child now attends a mainstream school and is supported by staff and the school to have an education plan that meets their needs. When children are unable to attend school, staff ensure they take part in home learning and educational activities. Staff work well with children’s teachers to understand children’s learning needs and to ensure consistent support.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are supported by the organisation’s therapeutic team to inform their practice, with an allocated therapist visiting each week. Children have individualised plans to address their therapeutic needs. This means that the children’s emotional health needs are prioritised, monitored and managed well.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of children maintaining family relationships. They ensure that children see their families in line with their wishes. This helps children to maintain important relationships. One parent said that communication with staff is good and that they feel welcome when they come to visit.

p.3

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

Children say that they feel safe. Staff have a good understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and risks. Carefully assessed staffing levels and written assessments ensure that children receive appropriate support in the home.

p.3

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 is reduced. 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. Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 4 Physical intervention is only used as a last resort to keep people safe. All interventions are appropriately recorded by staff. The manager reviews all incidents and gives children and staff the opportunity to share their views. This ensures that practice remains appropriate and supports children to learn about their behaviours.

p.3

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

When children make allegations relating to staff in the home, managers take their concerns seriously. Managers work in partnership with children’s social workers and the local authority designated officer, and they advocate for children when responses could be improved. Managers ensure that children understand the steps that have been taken to promote their safety.

p.4

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

Medication is safely stored and administered. There has been one error since the last inspection; this was promptly identified and resolved by the manager.

p.4

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

Key-work sessions are carried out in line with children’s needs and care plans. Planned and ad-hoc sessions are tailored to each child’s age and understanding and tackle existing and emerging issues.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is child-focused and passionate about children receiving the best possible care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about working in the home. They describe supportive colleagues and managers, including at senior level, who know them well and are accessible. Staff absence is mostly covered by the home’s own staff, supported by a small number of the company’s internal staff. This promotes continuity of care for the children from adults who know them well.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring systems are effective. These include a monthly statistical analysis of incidents to look how they can be reduced and what the triggers might be. The manager also ensures that they get individualised feedback from the children each month, which includes asking the children if they feel safe and well cared for by the staff team.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision is regular and staff value the opportunity to reflect, and they recognise that this helps them improve their practice. Staff training is up to date and supports them to meet individual children’s needs.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly and are well attended. Role play, quizzes and scenarios are all used to promote staff development and check their knowledge.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers and staff have established strong connections with partner agencies. Professionals are positive about the communication from staff and the care provided for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There are no requirements or recommendations. Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 5

p.4

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: 1228090 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

Inspectors

Kate Savage, Social Care Inspector Hayley Booth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1228090 7 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

p.6

Inspectors

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

Inspectors

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

p.7

Inspectors

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

p.7