Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 1 SC065189 Registered provider: Meadows Care limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately run children’s home provides care for up to three children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home and three have moved out. Two children were present during the inspection and were spoken with.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2020.

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: SC065189 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Good 10/05/2023 Full Good 24/05/2022 Full Good 14/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged to explore their feelings through fun activities with therapists who visit the home. Therapists also advise staff on how they can help children to manage their emotions safely and support children who self-harm. This effectively supports improvements in children’s emotional health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Therapeutic support is also available to parents to help them to better understand their children and prepare for their return home when this is planned.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported through calm and caring interactions with staff. When children are upset, staff take time to talk with them, helping them reflect and ensuring they feel heard. Staff are still building relationships with some children, and their nurturing approach is helping to develop trust and stability.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children spend time with staff to reflect when they act on impulse. Staff support them to think about they felt before, during and after incidents. These conversations help children understand their emotions and actions. Staff are kind and patient, and their consistent approach is helping children to build trust and feel more settled.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to make a complaint and feel confident their concerns will be taken seriously. Children’s concerns are responded to promptly and they are helped to understand the outcome and any actions taken. This makes children feel listened to and valued, promoting a safe, trusting environment.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend school regularly and are making good progress from their starting points. Staff take children to and from school, which promotes good routines and helps remove barriers to attendance. For one child, this has led to improved attendance. Strong communication between staff and education providers ensures a consistent approach, supporting children’s learning and well-being both at home and in school.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to listen to children and make sure their views are heard when important decisions are being made. When plans for leaving care do not reflect what a child wants or needs, staff challenge these decisions and work with others to find better options. They help children understand their choices and support them to access advocacy services when needed. This means children are not left to manage difficult conversations alone. Staff continue to explore alternatives that keep children connected to people and places that matter to them. As a result, children feel more involved, supported and confident about their future.

p.3

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

Children are protected by staff, who take their safeguarding responsibilities seriously. Allegations are responded to promptly and in line with safeguarding procedures. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 4 Investigations are thorough, and actions taken are appropriate and well documented. The manager maintains strong oversight, ensuring that any concerns are addressed quickly and effectively.

p.3

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

Staff are proactive in identifying and reducing risks. When children go missing from home, staff respond immediately in line with each child’s plan. Staff take clear steps to locate children by contacting family, checking known locations and phoning children. When children return home, they are welcomed back with warmth, and independent return home interviews are used meaningfully to understand and reduce future risks. For one child, missing episodes have significantly reduced since moving into the home.

p.4

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

Children are supported to understand risks, including exploitation, through regular conversations and discussions. These are tailored to each child and used to build awareness and confidence. Staff show strong professional curiosity and persistence, helping children feel informed, supported and safe.

p.4

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

Staff understand the importance of modelling safe behaviour. Although there was a shortfall when some staff were seen smoking on the premises. This was addressed quickly, and the provider has taken action to ensure that this does not happen again. Staff help children understand the risks of vaping and why it is not allowed in the home.

p.4

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

Room searches are only carried out when there is a clear concern that a child may be at risk. These are proportionate, necessary and recorded properly. Children are told why searches take place, which helps children feel safe.

p.4

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

Staff manage high-risk behaviour with skill and sensitivity. When incidents escalate and begin to affect others, the manager acts quickly to increase the supervision of children and reduce risk. Decisions to end a child’s time at the home are made only when necessary and in the best interests of all children. Information is shared clearly with professionals to support moves to more suitable homes. This approach reflects strong leadership and a commitment to safeguarding.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is well supported by the responsible individual and the wider therapeutic team. This ensures strong and consistent leadership, where children are at the centre of all decision-making. Children’s progress is regularly reviewed, and any emerging patterns are carefully considered. This means approaches can be adapted to meet children’s changing needs and care remains responsive and effective.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly and used purposefully to share updates, reflect on practice and support staff development. Staff discuss behaviour plans, risk assessments and routines together, helping them stay informed and confident in their roles. Staff are encouraged to contribute to children’s risk assessments, with clear guidance and support offered to build skills and keep plans current. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 5 Staff development is supported through regular appraisals and a clear probation process for new staff. The manager uses these opportunities to identify strengths and areas for improvement, offering practical support and guidance. Senior staff dedicate time to help team members build new skills. Once probation is completed, staff are enrolled on relevant qualifications to support their ongoing development. This helps good practice continue to thrive and leads to consistent, high-quality care for children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff are welcomed into a team that is described as cohesive, supportive and positive. The atmosphere in the home is one of warmth and laughter, which helps children feel relaxed and secure. Leaders and managers recognise and reward staff efforts, which promotes a sense of value and belonging. Staff report feeling supported and confident in their roles, with access to training and opportunities to grow.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A parent shared that their child is settled, safe and comfortable in the home. They praised the staff for timely communication and regular updates, and said they feel welcomed and involved in decisions about their child’s care. They described the therapeutic support as the best they have received. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 6

p.5

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

p.6

Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

p.6

Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

p.6

Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health; and

p.6

Requirement Due date

that the effectiveness of the home’s child protection policies is monitored regularly.

p.6

Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vii)(b)(d)(e))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, managers and staff must ensure that any items which pose a health or safety risk (such as vapes or vape liquids) are not permitted in children’s bedrooms and prompt and appropriate action is taken to remove such items. 6 April 2026 Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 7

p.6

Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC065189 8

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

p.8

Children’s home details

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

p.8

Inspector

Nicola Forrester, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC065189 9 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.8

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.9

Inspector

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

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9