Children's Home run by Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 1 SC065072 Registered provider: Time-Out Children’s Homes Limited 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 company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2022. She is currently taking a period of leave from work. There is an acting manager overseeing the home who has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. The inspector spoke with both children.

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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: SC065072 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

03/07/2024 Full Good 31/10/2023 Full Good 08/08/2022 Full Good 19/10/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy living at the home and have trusting relationships with staff. Staff understand the individual needs of each child, and their care plans reflect this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children have nicely decorated and personalised bedrooms. The home environment is welcoming and provides children with a comfortable living space. Children have fun living at this home through many enjoyable activities that they plan with staff. Children are encouraged to become involved in community groups and activities that increase their feeling of belonging in the local area.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children come to live at the home, there is effective planning. The new child is supported to get to know the staff and the child already living there before moving in, which helps them to settle well. Staff get to know the child’s background and needs so that they can make appropriate plans for the child from the beginning of their time at the home. When a child leaves, they are well prepared to do so. There are celebrations to recognise a child’s time at the home, and staff keep in touch with children afterwards to help them adjust to their new arrangements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good educational progress. They are helped to attend school or college, and communication between staff and education staff keeps everyone informed so that any possible barriers to learning can be managed effectively. This helps school staff to understand the experiences of the children and be responsive to the children’s changing needs, to help maintain the children’s engagement.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are helped to maintain relationships with their families. One parent said, ‘I think [name of child] is doing brilliantly. The staff always update me. [Name of child] has come on so well. They support me to see [name of child]. I appreciate their support.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children develop their independence skills at a pace that is individual to them. Staff regularly review plans and adjust them depending on how children manage their development tasks. This ensures that plans help children to develop their skills in a way that is meaningful to the individual child.

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

Risks are well understood for both children. However, since the last inspection, there has been one incident whereby risk assessments were not adhered to by staff. The situation was dealt with well by managers, and lessons have been learned, including the importance of following risk assessments and the significance of sharing day-to-day information between staff. Extra training was provided for staff, and the shortfall was discussed openly in team meetings. This has developed staff’s safeguarding practices to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 4 Incidents of children going missing from home are managed effectively, and return home interviews are always offered to children on their return. There is regular management oversight, and the child is listened to so that staff understand why the child may have stayed away from the home. One child’s care plan was changed because of these

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

conversations, and the frequency of missing-from-home incidents has reduced.

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

Staff have clear boundaries for children and talk to the children about why rules are in place. They use a reward system rather than consequences to encourage positive behaviour. Staff have found that positive reinforcement and celebrating the children’s achievements have a positive influence on the children’s behaviour and decision-making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is currently away from the home on planned leave, and there is an acting manager in place. There was a well-thought-out transition period where both managers worked together to ensure that there was a seamless handover of responsibilities. Both managers are committed to providing the best care they can for the children and staff speak highly of them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers know children well and understand what is important to them. They review plans regularly and change them to suit the needs of the children. This leads to children making good progress. Leaders and managers understand the impact that the children’s previous experiences have had on the children’s self-esteem. They have led the team to share this understanding. Since the last inspection, there have been several challenges in meeting the children’s needs, but staff understand the reason for behaviours and provide a consistent and supportive environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Shortfalls in staff practice are responded to appropriately. Managers take decisive action to address issues, and there is a high level of ongoing management oversight to prevent issues reoccurring. Furthermore, staff supervision sessions are reflective and supportive. Each child is discussed in detail and consideration is given to how their needs are best met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings focus on the progress of children and their current needs and wishes. There are team-building activities for staff, staff’s achievements are celebrated, and there are updates about delegated tasks. There is positive communication from the manager and straight forward guidance that is easy for staff to understand. The efforts that the managers have put into team building have created stronger bonds within the team, and this has provided greater stability and consistency for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have collaborative working relationships with other professionals. They are fully involved with professionals working with the children, and they advocate on behalf of the children. One professional said, ‘I am really happy with how everything is managed. There is good communication. They always attend meetings. I would not change anything.’ Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 5

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Information about this inspection

The inspector 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: SC065072 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Time-Out Childrens Homes Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 2, Ripponden Mill, Mill Fold, Ripponden, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire HX6 4DH

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Inspector

Karen Karlsson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC065072 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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