Children's Home run by Rochdale Borough Council in Rochdale

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 1 SC034922

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Registered provider: Rochdale Borough Council

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a local authority. It provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. One child has moved out of the home since the last inspection. The child chose not to speak to the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in June 2021.

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Inspection date: 16 February 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 16 February 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspections, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is receiving care that is centred on building trust, understanding their needs and promoting their wellbeing. Staff invest time in developing positive relationships with the child, who is beginning to see the home as a source of stability. Staff remain sensitive to the child’s background and emotional needs.

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Findings from the inspection

The child’s attendance at school remains extremely low, and they have not yet engaged with the home tuition provision. Staff continue to work proactively with education services and careers support to identify options that reflect the child’s interests, such as hair and beauty or animal care.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is physically well. They find it difficult to engage with professionals and are not yet in a settled routine. Staff continue to encourage participation and facilitate access to support. Staff take a patient, relationship-based approach, recognising that the child is still settling into the home and requires time to build trust and emotional safety.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff identify risks promptly and respond appropriately. Staff maintain professional oversight during incidents and follow safeguarding procedures consistently.

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Findings from the inspection

Decisions about who will come to live at the home show thoughtful consideration, although some emerging risks are yet to be considered when the manager is deciding who will come at live at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff make significant efforts to locate the child when they are out during free time. They are often unaware of the child’s exact whereabouts, both during authorised time out and when the child is reported missing from the home. This limits staff’s ability to evaluate risk and provide proactive safeguarding responses.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers demonstrate a clear commitment to improving children’s experiences through ongoing monitoring and reflective practice.

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Findings from the inspection

Families and professionals report strong communication, with concerns acknowledged and responded to effectively. The management team has strengthened staffing arrangements, and following a period of low morale, introduced new staff, improved consistency and ensured guidance and oversight are more robust.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff describe the leadership team as supportive and accessible. External professionals note that staff are proactive, reflective and willing to adapt their practice. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 3 The independent visitor’s reports do not always clearly make the statement that the children are effectively safeguarded and their wellbeing is promoted. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/08/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 11/03/2024 Full Good 21/03/2023 Full Good 19/10/2021 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare, and

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protected each child from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(v)(vi)(b))

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Requirement Due date

In particular the registered person must ensure that staff identify and respond effectively to reduce risks for children when they are missing from home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all risks are considered when new children move into the home. 16 April 2026

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Requirement Due date

The quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children; 16 April 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 6 use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose; and

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Requirement Due date

protect and promote each child’s welfare. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff are working hard to build relationships with children and to ensure that children are engaging in safe predictable routines during the daytime.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any individual appointed to carry out visits to the home as an independent person makes a thorough assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home’s care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, paragraph 15.5, page 65) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rochdale Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU

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Inspector

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: SC034922 8 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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