Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 1 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company and provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in February 2025.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home and were spoken to by the inspector.

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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child visited the home and met the staff prior to moving in. The child left the home shortly afterwards due to the management team ending the child’s placement in agreement with the local authority as they recognised that they could no longer meet the child’s specific increasing needs.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

After this, two children moved into the home in an emergency on separate occasions. The registered manager ensured that she completed the necessary discussions and checks with the local authorities and considered the other child’s needs and staff skillset before agreeing for the children to move in. Ultimately, both children have settled in extremely well and have made positive relationships with each other and the staff. One child said, ‘the manager is sound you know’.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager and staff know the children well and promote their well-being. Staff follow individualised care plans to support the children’s development and to help them meet their goals and targets. Appropriate plans are in place to allow the children to develop independence skills for the future.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has been supported to complete their exams at school. The manager and staff have liaised appropriately with educational professionals and the social workers to put plans are in place for September 2025 for one child to return to education and for one child to attend college to study their chosen subject. This means children are supported to achieve their academic potential and are inspired to achieve their aspirations for the future.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children’s health needs are recognised and understood and are being met by staff. The children are supported to attend routine and specialist health appointments. Staff encourage the children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle and regularly accompany the children out on walks and playing football in the park. The impact of children’s earlier life experiences and ongoing emotional wellbeing support is assessed by the in-house clinical team who support the children on a one-to-one basis and help the staff to work therapeutically with the children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Although children are not seeing their family members at present due to the current plans, the registered manager and staff ensure that family members remain updated about their children’s care and well-being. This is to support the development of their relationships in the future.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard. The children like their home and take pride in it. Consequently, the children live in a happy, safe and relaxed home where staff treat them with dignity and respect. One professional said, ‘I have been to many children’s homes and was taken a back at how lovely the home was. I was blown away it was so nice’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 3

p.2

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

Staff know the children well and understand their background, risks and vulnerabilities. Risk management plans are thorough. Plans are regularly reviewed and updated by staff. Staff demonstrate that they understand the plans and know what action to take to safeguard the children. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] struggled to control their emotions, they have outbursts and need a few minutes. Staff have worked this out already and are managing the child’s behaviour. [Name of child] is beginning to emphasise with other’s which I have never seen before.’

p.3

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

The previous child has been missing from home on several occasions. The incidents have been managed extremely well in line with relevant protocols. Detailed and clear plans are in place that advise staff what action to take if a child goes missing from home. Staff take extensive action to try and locate the child and work with the police to return them home safely. The child was offered an independent return to home interview to discuss any worries or concerns. This supports the staff to understand any triggers to the missing episode and to look for strategies to reduce and minimise the risk in the future.

p.3

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

Significant incidents are managed well in line with safeguarding protocols. Concerns regarding shortfalls in staff practice raised by an external professional has been managed well in line with safeguarding procedures. The Local Authority Designated Officer was alerted along with the child’s social worker. This multi-agency working supported the child to remain safe living in the home.

p.3

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

Staff are trained in physical intervention and de-escalation techniques. Physical intervention is used as a last resort. On one occasion, staff used their body to block an exit to an external door. The intervention was deemed proportionate and necessary to keep the child safe.

p.3

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

The registered manager ensures that she notifies Ofsted of any serious incidents. However, on several occasions after an incident the registered manager did not notify the incident in a timely manner. This means that the regulator is unable to have sufficient oversight and scrutiny in a timely manner.

p.3

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

Staff recruited to work in the home are done so in a safe way. The registered manager ensures that the necessary checks are completed before staff start working with children. This helps to ensure that the adults working with children are safe to do so.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is suitably experienced and qualified and has high aspirations for the children in her care. Staff speak in high regard of the registered manager and the support she provides to her team. Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 4 One member of staff said, ‘Our manager, is incredibly supportive and approachable. She creates an open space where staff feel safe to speak, ask questions, or raise concerns. She leads with consistency and compassion. I always feel heard and valued in the team.’

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff receive a thorough induction that provides them with a detailed programme of training and guidance for their new role. On completion of their probationary period, staff are enrolled on to a suitable qualification if they are not already qualified. This leads to consistency in care and support for the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager and staff receive regular supervision in line with the home’s statement of purpose. Staff attend regular team meetings, clinical consultations and training. They use this time well to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager has systems in place to review and monitor the care provided to children and the progress children are making. She is aware of the strengths and weakness of the service. When shortfalls have occurred the management team are quick to respond and act and look at any lessons learned to avoid the situation from occurring again in the future. Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 5

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that they notify Ofsted in a timely manner if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10)

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: 2822140 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 OL12 9EN

p.6

Inspector

Julie Elder, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2822140 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