Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in Rochdale

Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 1 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted on 16 March 2017

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted on 21 March 2024

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 3 children were living in the home. All of the children spoke to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

Inspection dates : 27 and 28 January 2026

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: Good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04 June 2024 Full Good 25/07/2023 Full Good 27/07/2022 Full Good 22/02/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 3

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outstanding

Children receive highly individualised care and support, which leads to improved and sustained outcomes. Staff consistently demonstrate exceptional warmth and child- focused practice. As a result, children feel cared for, loved and valued, helping to create stability and security in their lives. They make excellent progress from their individual starting points. The home provides a calm, caring and inclusive environment that supports children’s emotional, social and developmental needs and helps them to thrive.

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outstanding

Children move into the home following a thorough assessment of their needs and detailed planning. This ensures that children’s needs can be met within a nurturing and supportive environment. Staff actively support children to prepare for moving on from the home by helping them to develop the practical and emotional skills they need for their next stage of independence. One child who recently moved on said, ‘The home was the best, we were like a big family and staff really care about us. They helped me so much and I am where I am because of the support they gave me. I do miss them, but they keep in contact.’

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outstanding

The safety and welfare of children are central to staff practice. Children report having very positive relationships with staff, describing them as caring and supportive. They say they feel able to speak openly and honestly with staff and trust them to respond appropriately.

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outstanding

Professionals consistently speak highly of the home, and the progress children make. One professional commented, ‘Since living at the home, [name] has absolutely flourished, and it is a joy to see.’

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outstanding

All children attend education and are well supported in line with their individual education plans and targets. Staff maintain excellent communication and partnership working with schools and education professionals. One education professional stated, ‘Since living at the home, [name] is settled, happy and engages well with their education. Staff from the home maintain excellent links, enabling us to work together with the child at the centre of our care and support.’

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outstanding

Children’s physical and emotional health needs are met in a highly individualised way. For example, staff have recently completed play therapy training to further support children’s emotional wellbeing. Children’s views are consistently sought and valued, and each child has an individual memory book to help them reflect positively on their experiences and progress.

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outstanding

Children are supported to live healthy lifestyles. Staff actively encourage positive choices in relation to diet, hygiene and physical activity. Children regularly access a Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 4 wide range of activities within the home and the local community, helping them to develop confidence, skills and a strong sense of belonging. For example, one child volunteers at a local outdoor centre, supporting other young people to access activities.

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outstanding

Staff develop and maintain positive relationships with family members. This supports meaningful family involvement and contributes to improved outcomes for children.

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outstanding

The home is decorated to create a warm, welcoming and homely environment. Children are encouraged to share their views and wishes about how the home looks and feels, and these are reflected throughout the property.

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outstanding

The safety and welfare of all children living in the home are central to staff practice. Comprehensive risk assessments are highly individualised for each child. These are clearly understood by staff and consistently followed. As a result, children report feeling safe and happy in the home.

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outstanding

Strong, trusting relationships between children and staff help to promote a sense of belonging and stability. Children benefit from regular conversations and guidance on issues, such as relationships, self-worth and how to keep healthy and safe. These discussions are delivered in age-appropriate and inclusive ways to ensure that children are fully supported with the right guidance.

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outstanding

The number of incidents where children have gone missing from the home has reduced significantly. Staff consistently follow agreed procedures and protocols to support children to return home safely. They work effectively in partnership with other safeguarding agencies, which strengthens the support provided to children. In addition, independent visits are arranged to give children the opportunity to raise any concerns with someone outside the home. This helps the manager and staff to understand the reasons behind missing episodes and to identify any additional actions required to provide reassurance and targeted support.

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outstanding

Children’s behaviour is managed exceptionally well. Staff consistently follow clear and detailed behaviour support plans that promote positive behaviour and support children to develop effective self-regulation skills. Consequently, positive reinforcement significantly outweighs the use of negative sanctions. Children say they feel encouraged and supported to understand and manage their emotions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is experienced, highly qualified and deeply committed to achieving excellent outcomes for children. She provides inspirational leadership, which is recognised not only within the home but across the wider organisation. She is supported by 2 deputy managers who, alongside the staff team, share a strong and Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 5 positive ethos. Staff believe that, despite previous life experiences, children can achieve their goals when provided with the right support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say they are valued and well supported in their roles. They benefit from regular supervision that enables them to reflect on their practice, identify strengths and consider areas for development. Leaders actively encourage staff to access additional training that aligns with both their professional interests and the needs of the children. Monthly team meetings are highly reflective and provide open opportunities for collaborative discussion, helping the team identify further actions that promote exceptional outcomes. Staff make effective use of current research and best practice, which directly contributes to improved experiences and progress for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and staff have developed a fully inclusive approach to gathering feedback from children, parents, carers and other professionals. This feedback is used consistently to inform care planning and ensures that children receive support tailored to their individual goals. As a result, children benefit from a cohesive, responsive approach that places their voice and needs at the centre of practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Robust monitoring systems are in place. Independent monitoring and support are provided through an independent visitor, who offers regular consultation, advice and written reports. These are fully integrated into the manager’s overall monitoring systems. The manager reviews all documentation to ensure it is of a high standard and presented in a child-friendly format, so children can understand their records should they wish to view them. Children’s views are central to the home’s open and transparent culture and are formally recorded, including within staff appraisals. Staff value this feedback and recognise its positive impact on their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person must ensure that children experience living in a home that is clean and tidy throughout and that all external structures are maintained effectively and fit for purpose. (‘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: 1250915 7

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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, Lancashire OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Sarah Oldham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1250915 8 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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