Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Oldham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 1 SC066072 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

It is registered to provide care for up to three children who may have social and emotional issues.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living in this home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

An interim manager is in place, who is not yet registered with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection : none Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/05/2024 Full Good 27/06/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good 26/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from individualised care that responds to their needs and circumstances. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s experiences and use this knowledge to provide nurturing, stable routines.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between children and staff are warm. Staff take time to build meaningful connections, which helps children feel safe and emotionally supported. These positive relationships are also evident in how staff engage with professionals and families, ensuring that care is consistent and that children benefit from a coordinated approach to the provision of their care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children go to school. Staff work closely with schools and advocate for children to ensure that they have the right educational placement and attend regularly. Children make progress that is in line with their abilities and starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to complain if they feel unhappy with their care. Staff listen to their views, which influences the running of the home. There are regular opportunities for children to express their preferences and opinions, and these are taken seriously by staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Transitions are managed positively. Two children have moved out of the home back to family or to semi-independence after long-term placements. The moves were planned and well supported. Staff have maintained contact with the children to support continuity in relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There have been some difficulties in children’s relationships with each other. Staff have spent time with the children to support them to repair their relationships.

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

Children are kept safe by the staff in the home, who have a strong understanding of individual risks and needs. Risk assessments are detailed and dynamic, reflecting children’s changing circumstances. All staff are aware of these plans and use them effectively to inform their day-to-day care and supervision. As a result, risks to children are reducing over time.

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

The use of physical intervention is limited and only used when necessary to prevent harm. Staff place a strong emphasis on using their positive relationships with children to de-escalate incidents without physical intervention. This approach is reinforced through support from the provider’s therapeutic department, which helps staff reflect on how best to support children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 4 Behaviour is managed with a focus on encouragement and natural consequences. When consequences are necessary, they are proportionate and clearly explained. This restorative approach promotes a sense of fairness and responsibility.

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

One child has had an extended period of time where they were missing from home. During this time, staff followed agreed procedures and worked in partnership with relevant agencies to bring the child home safely. Risk assessments and safety plans have been put into place to help ensure this risk is reduced.

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

Safeguarding incidents are not consistently followed up. There are occasions where debriefs with staff lack sufficient rigour to ensure that learning is embedded.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There has been a recent period of instability in the management team, with a temporary manager in place. This manager has now left. Another manager has been appointed, who has applied to be registered with Ofsted. During this period, some of the staff supervision sessions were missed and staff felt that they were not supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff now benefit from regular supervision and support. Records viewed show that supervision is reflective and encourages good practice. Staff report feeling more supported in recent months, which is contributing to a more settled and motivated team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Regular team meetings are held in which staff discuss how the children have progressed and how they can be supported. The meetings are used to promote the home’s educative and therapeutic culture and ensure that staff are working to support and stabilise the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Professionals report strong and effective communication with both the staff team and the manager. A professional said, ‘[Child’s name] made tremendous progress. I saw a positive change in his behaviour. They built a good a relationship with him.’ Staff build positive relationships with children and professionals, which results in everyone working together in the child’s best interest.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home’s aims and objectives are being met, and the service is continuing to improve. Leaders and managers promote equality, diversity and inclusion through staff training, daily practice and consultation with children. They also demonstrate the confidence to challenge partner agencies when responses do not meet children’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person must have systems in place so that all staff receive regular supervision of their practice which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The provider must ensure that incidents are evaluated with scrutiny, taking into consideration any possible learning outcomes that can be implemented within children’s risk management plans, or to support the development of staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards paragraph’, page 46, paragraph 9.31)

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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: SC066072 6

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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 OL12 9EN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Alison O’Donnell

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Inspector

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC066072 7 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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