Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 1 SC372117 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

A private provider operates this home. The home offers care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, there were three children living in the home. One child was spoken with during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/06/2024 Full Outstanding 18/07/2023 Full Outstanding 10/05/2022 Full Good 01/11/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

Staff are committed to providing children with care that fosters a strong sense of permanence and belonging. They place children’s well-being at the centre of their practice, supporting children to build trusting relationships at their own pace. Children choose which staff they feel most comfortable with for different activities. This approach has helped children feel secure and confident enough to take part in group activities that they previously avoided, such as going on holidays and going out for group meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

Staff are determined to ensure that all children, regardless of their individual needs, are able to take part in a wide range of opportunities. Staff help children to build confidence, develop friendships and feel part of their community by encouraging children to join local youth groups, volunteer in the community and take part in charity events and holidays. Those who wish to, are also supported to attend faith-based activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

Staff use therapeutic approaches to help children rebuild important relationships. Therapy staff support children and their families to understand their emotions and work through unresolved experiences. This has supported children to restart family time when it has stopped.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

All children have improved their attendance at school or other educational settings. The manager is tenacious in advocating for children to be placed in the right educational environment, with attendance hours tailored to their individual needs. These arrangements are reviewed regularly to support children’s progress towards full-time education. As a result of the home’s consistent efforts, children who previously disengaged from learning have successfully returned to full-time education, completed exams, moved on to college and secured employment. These achievements have significantly enhanced their future opportunities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

Children are supported to improve both their physical and emotional well-being. When children move into the home, staff explore their health history in detail and use this information to develop personalised strategies that meet each child’s needs. Staff take a proactive and creative approach to encouraging daily movement and healthy routines. Children benefit from specialist therapeutic support that helps to identify their emotional needs and equips staff to provide care that is sensitive and responsive to each child’s experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: Outstanding

Children receive timely and effective support to prepare for their futures. Staff build life skills into daily routines, such as cooking and budgeting. When children move on from the home, staff continue to offer outreach support and maintain meaningful relationships. Where endings are unplanned, staff prioritise children’s welfare and work closely with other professionals to identify safe and appropriate next steps that meet each child’s needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 4 Children live in a home that feels warm and family-like. They use private and shared spaces freely and with confidence. Staff support children’s routines, privacy and social interaction daily. Mealtimes are relaxed, enjoyable and shared with staff and peers.

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

Children feel safe living in the home. Staff talk with children about staying safe from risks. These conversations are paced to match each child’s needs. Staff check that children understand and apply what they have learned. As a result, one child now spends time independently in the community safely.

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

Staff understand and contribute to individual, up-to-date risk assessments. While staff closely follow risk assessments, staff are empowered to use their own dynamic risk assessments to take preventative action to keep children safe. When staff identify new strategies, they are explored as a team and added to plans of care, if effective. When risks escalate, they are communicated effectively at all levels, which enables staff to take a strong and proactive response to risks.

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

Staff take a consistent and thoughtful approach to behaviour support. They believe every day is a fresh opportunity for children, and give them repeated chances to make safer choices independently. Staff rarely use consequences and focus on natural learning moments. They talk with children about risks and safe decision-making.

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

Children who go missing receive a prompt, coordinated safeguarding response. Staff explore the reasons for missing episodes, identify triggers and take prompt action to reduce the risk of harm. Staff encourage children to return safely and feel welcomed back.

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

Staff are confident and knowledgeable about safeguarding procedures. They use the home’s confidential system to report whistle-blowing concerns. Staff challenge poor practice in order to strengthen safeguarding and risk management.

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

Staff only hold children when necessary to keep themselves and the child safe. Staff use all methods of de-escalation, which means that there have been minimal incidents of staff having to hold children. Staff’s use of restorative practice improves relationships and increases children’s sense of personal responsibility.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

A confident and ambitious manager leads the home. Staff and children trust managers and leaders to meet their individual needs. Managers and leaders set exacting standards and expect the best for children. They have created a culture that is aspirational and nurturing.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Staff describe a team culture where everyone feels valued and heard. Staff work together with shared values and a consistent approach. They say that being ‘on the Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 5 same page’ strengthens their practice. This inclusive ethos benefits children through stable, joined-up care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Staff describe leaders as approachable and responsive to their views. Leaders offer support and challenge through regular team discussions. Staff feel empowered to make decisions and reflect on practice. This shared approach strengthens consistency and promotes professional growth.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Leaders and managers understand the plans for the children. The manager encourages that all achievements and milestones are celebrated as a whole household, whether these are for staff or children. Children receive appropriate and regular rewards for being inclusive and demonstrating positive values.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Leaders regularly monitor all aspects of the home’s care quality. They track children’s progress and set clear, measurable goals. Strengths and areas for development are quickly identified and development plans are used to enhance children’s daily experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

Leaders do not avoid admitting children with complex risk histories. The manager assesses risks and considers the needs of others. Robust plans are created to reduce risks before children move in. If risks remain too high, leaders escalate concerns appropriately and work with professionals to find safer living arrangements. Leaders and managers have created a no-blame culture that supports learning and reflection at all levels.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: Outstanding

The manager is confident in developing multi-agency relationships and creating spaces of healthy challenge. Staff consistently advocate for children until their needs are met. They persist with professionals to secure the right support. This includes children living outside the local authority area. Staff show determination and patience to achieve positive outcomes. Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 6

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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: SC372117 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 OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Vikki Thwaites, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC372117 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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