Children's Home run by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council in Rotherham

Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 1 SC037521 Registered provider: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority service provides short breaks for up to 9 children who may have learning and/or physical disabilities. The home may provide care and accommodation for one child on a permanent basis.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 4 children were accessing the short-breaks service. No children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025.

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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 good

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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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: SC037521 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/06/2024 Full Good 17/01/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 07/02/2023 Full Outstanding 25/08/2021 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Upon entering the home, it feels inclusive, welcoming and engaging for children. It creates an immediate sense of safety and belonging, and children genuinely enjoy coming to stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The opportunity for children and their parents to have visits beforehand supports a highly effective transition. This proactive approach reassures parents and enables children to develop familiarity and confidence before their first overnight stay. As a result, children arrive feeling secure, reducing anxiety and promoting positive early experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff provide exceptionally individualised care and demonstrate an excellent understanding of each child’s complex needs. Their skilled use of a wide range of communication and engagement techniques significantly enhances children’s quality of life. This depth of understanding ensures that children experience highly attuned, responsive care that promotes progress and emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Feedback from social workers and parents is overwhelmingly positive. Parents report having absolute trust in the staff team and confidence in the consistently high standards of care and support. Parents value the service immensely. This level of parental trust demonstrates the positive impact the home has on family life and partnership working.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s voices, wishes and feelings are clearly visible throughout the home, as reflected in displays, artwork, and photos that celebrate their individuality. Staff use a wide range of communication methods, such as Makaton, Picture Exchange Communication System symbols and storyboards, to ensure that every child can express themselves meaningfully. This empowers children to influence their environment and daily experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Monthly wellbeing chats and regular coffee mornings provide parents with opportunities to connect, share experiences and receive support. These sessions help parents feel valued and understood, strengthening relationships between families and the service.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Regular reviews and updated care plans ensure that support remains responsive to changing needs, vulnerabilities and care packages. Recording of activities, daily living and progress is thorough and linked to clearly defined goals and targets. Incremental achievements improve children’s independence and quality of life. This approach reflects a culture that celebrates progress and recognises every child’s potential.

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

Matching children for a short break is sensitively and skilfully managed. This approach minimises risks and fosters safe, positive interactions among children. This enables Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 4 children to develop meaningful peer relationships that enhance their social confidence. As a result, children benefit from shared experiences that are both enjoyable and safe.

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

Children’s complex health, disability and learning needs are well understood. The management of these needs is robust and consistently applied through the administration of medication, feeding routines and response to behaviours. Protective measures and high staff ratios ensure that children experience nurturing care that promotes their safety and wellbeing.

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

Staff are skilled in managing and de-escalating behaviour without the need for physical intervention. They are aware of the signs that children with very complex needs require support but also acknowledge how behaviour can be unpredictable. On the very few occasions that physical intervention has been required, it has been limited to guiding and redirecting children. This reflects a highly child-centred approach that prioritises dignity, emotional safety and minimal restriction.

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

The use of an emergency bed has provided vital support to children in crisis and has successfully prevented family breakdown. Parents who have accessed this provision report it as being lifesaving. Although emergencies can lead to cancellations, parents always receive payback, and the manager is transparent about the need to prioritise safeguarding the most vulnerable children.

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

All staff thoroughly understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities, underpinned by detailed and regularly reviewed care plans and risk assessments. Staff take ownership of updating and reviewing plans, ensuring that information is responsive to children’s changing needs.

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

Staff clearly understand and consistently follow procedures for responding to concerns about children’s safety. Concerns are escalated promptly, ensuring swift protective action. Regular safeguarding scenarios in team meetings keep staff’s knowledge current and strengthen their confidence in managing risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have a strong understanding of the service and have dedicated many years to it. Their long-standing involvement demonstrates dedication to providing high-quality care and support to children and their parents. The manager maintains high aspirations for the service and continues to drive development. This consistent leadership contributes to a stable and well-managed service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive individualised training that is tailored to children’s differing learning needs and disabilities. This includes epilepsy, dysphasia and sensory training. This means that staff are equipped with the skills and knowledge to meet children’s complex needs effectively. As a result, children benefit from care that is informed, responsive and appropriately adapted. Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 5 The manager’s oversight is evaluative and reflective, promoting a culture of continuous learning in the team. This approach ensures that practice is regularly reviewed and improved. Staff benefit from clear guidance, debriefs and constructive feedback, which strengthens the overall quality of care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff report feeling well supported by managers, and they benefit from regular team meetings, supervision and annual performance reviews. These processes are of good quality, and staff can reflect and learn individually and as a group. This strong support has helped retain staff over the years, providing children with consistent and familiar carers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable and long-standing team of staff who consistently go above and beyond in the care they provide. Staff work diligently to ensure minimal disruption to service delivery even during periods of pressure. While agency staff have sometimes been necessary, the same workers have been used to ensure familiarity for the children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 6

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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: SC037521 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Riverside House, Main Street, Rotherham S60 1AE

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Inspector

Cath Sikakana, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC037521 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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