Children's home run by Meadows Care Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 1241855 1 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private company. It is registered to provide care for up to four children who have had adverse childhood experiences that may have led to complex trauma-based needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2019. She has a level 5 qualification in leadership and management.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, three children were living at the home. Two spoke with the inspector.

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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: 1241855 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/07/2024 Full Good 16/01/2024 Full Good 28/02/2023 Full Good 19/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1241855 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two of the children have lived at the home for over a year and one has moved in more recently. All have made good progress from their starting points. For example, each child’s emotional well-being has significantly improved. They enjoy positive relationships with the manager, staff and each other. The children express their wishes and feelings freely and are involved in decision-making about the things that matter to them most. They are involved in meetings that are about them and in interview panels for staff coming to work at the home. They feel valued and listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work therapeutically and have a good understanding of the children’s needs and the support they require. Practice is supported through good connections between staff and the in-house clinical team. The manager and staff speak about the children with warmth, love, care and compassion, and want children to achieve positive outcomes and have positive experiences at home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s learning is a priority. Staff have high aspirations for children and believe that they can achieve their goals. The manager and staff work tirelessly with social workers and teachers to try and understand any barriers to children’s learning. Children are encouraged by staff to re-engage with learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported by staff to spend time with close family and friends, in keeping with their plans. The children enjoyed an active summer, including going on holiday, day trips, preparing meals with staff and enjoying family dinners. This has helped children create lifelong memories.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is ample space in the home for children to unwind and relax. The home is warm and welcoming and provides the children with a lovely family home. Since the last inspection, the kitchen has been refurbished. The children enjoy having pet rabbits as part of the family and looking after them. However, one child’s bedroom curtains did not provide adequate privacy for them. This was addressed by managers during the inspection.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been several significant incidents. The safety and well-being of the children have been at the forefront of practice and collaboration with family members and professionals, including the police, social workers and teachers, has supported children’s safety. Managers have shown professional curiosity and due diligence in their oversight.

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

When children go missing from the home, their best interests remain paramount, regardless of the challenges. Strong relationships with partner agencies maintain a clear focus on reducing missing-from-home episodes. Inspection report for children's home: 1241855 4 The manager and staff provide the children with consistent routines and boundaries. The children are becoming more aware of potential risks and are learning to keep themselves safer. Children are becoming increasingly aware of unsafe situations and ask for support when they need it.

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

Incidents of restraint are rare. When a child is held, it is as a last resort. Managers identify shortfalls in practice and talk to staff promptly to keep children safe.

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

The manager investigates complaints made by children and external agencies thoroughly. This promotes the safety and well-being of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is nurturing and patient and role models positive therapeutic parenting. She is dedicated to supporting the children and staff. Her advocacy for children is effective and she challenges partner agencies as needed to ensure that the children receive adequate support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems to monitor the operation of the home, understands he home’s strengths and areas for improvement and has a clear action plan to address shortfalls. Partner agencies speak positively about the manager and say that clear communication helps them to keep up to date with children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home has experienced high staff turnover. This has been challenging for the core staff, who have remained resilient and have consistently put the needs of the children first. Managers check on the well-being of staff and ensure that when staff leave, endings for children are positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision and team meetings are regular, and staff find these useful and safe times for reflection where they can discuss their needs within and outside work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff and the children were looking forward to the organisation’s awards evening, where their achievements will be recognised and celebrated. Inspection report for children's home: 1241855 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure the children’s home is a nurturing and supportive environment that meets the needs of children. In particular, the registered manager should ensure that all children’s bedrooms have appropriate curtains or blinds to give children privacy. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 1241855 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: Meadows Care Ltd, Egerton House, Wardle Road, Rochdale OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Rumbi Mangoma, Ofsted Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1241855 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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