Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC066560 1 SC066560 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

This home is run by a private provider. It 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. Two children were spoken with.

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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 outstanding

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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: SC066560 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/05/2024 Full Good 18/04/2023 Full Good 26/04/2022 Full Good 01/02/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC066560 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Managers and staff put relationships at the heart of everything that happens in the home. Professionals praise the positive relationships that staff build with children and the speed at which they achieve this. Staff say their relationships with children help to keep the children safe and are the main strength of the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager liaises with education providers to ensure that the children can engage in education. When children are struggling in school, the manager works with other professionals to pursue education, health, and care plans, share behaviour support strategies and tailor the curriculum to suit the child. Children are making progress in school.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to be healthy. The kitchen is full of fruit and other healthy options that the children can prepare for themselves. Children attend the gym with staff and take part in activities away from the home. The manager has recently bought a swing ball set to promote physical activity at home. Children are supported with any health needs and can make age-appropriate decisions regarding their health.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager undertakes detailed assessments when children move into the home. These assessments include a consideration of the risks and needs of the children already living at the home. When children move on from the home, endings are well planned and supported, with one child returning to the care of family with a support package that included regular visits and phone calls from the team.

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outstanding

Professionals report that children are safe at the home. The managers and staff create individual risk assessments that are detailed and regularly reviewed. Risk assessments include proactive actions to prevent potential issues. As a result, missing-from-home and self-harm incidents have reduced, and physical interventions have not been necessary.

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outstanding

Staff deliver key-work sessions that are relevant to children’s risks; these sessions include planned ‘project work’ on topics including exploitation, online safety, and substance misuse. Staff also use individualised sessions to talk about specific worries with the children. The staff have access to a variety of resources to support them.

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outstanding

Staff have restorative discussions with children after incidents. These are clearly recorded and linked to the initial incident and any consequences. Managers and staff promote positive behaviour at every opportunity. Staff use a range of incentives, from a lucky dip box for a good day at school to increased free time and trips away, Inspection report for children’s home: SC066560 4 for consistent positive improvements. The children learn how to maintain positive relationships with people who are important to them.

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outstanding

Staff provide children with the knowledge and skills to help them use the internet safely. Children’s access to the internet is restricted, with content and time limits, and staff undertake regular phone checks. Staff respond appropriately when children have issues with bullying or inappropriate messages online. The children understand the risks of the internet and are learning how to be safe online.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a vision for the home where the children are happy and know that they can talk to staff about anything. She prioritises the relationships with children, professionals, and the staff team to achieve this. Staff like working at the home and have confidence in the manager and the support she provides.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a range of daily and monthly checks that she undertakes to ensure effective oversight of the home. She uses this information to inform documents, including education and incident trackers, to ensure that when actions are set or progress needs to be closely monitored, she has the information to do so.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager builds positive relationships with professionals and family members and uses these relationships to improve the support provided to the children. When children need more specialist support, the manager reaches out to specialist agencies to provide this. Children have the support that they need.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that staff receive comprehensive training to support them in carrying out their role. When new children move in or the needs of the children change, the manager responds quickly, arranging additional training and identifying resources to support the staff in meeting the children’s cultural needs and keeping them safe. The staff have the correct skills and training to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervisions are regular and staff report that they find them supportive. The richness of reflective discussions is not always captured in the recording of the sessions. Inspection report for children’s home: SC066560 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice from an appropriately qualified and experienced professional, 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)

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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: SC066560 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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Inspector

Kirstie Sutherland, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC066560 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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