Children's Home run by Meadows Care Limited in BuryOfsted inspection, 9 Sept 2026

Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 1 SC069198 Registered provider: Meadows Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is operated by a private organisation and provides care for up to 3 children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There are currently 2 children living in the home, and they were both spoken with.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2023.

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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

Date of last inspection: 16 September 2025

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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: SC069198 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2025 Full Good 01/10/2024 Full Good 07/06/2023 Full Good 24/01/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 3

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Summary of findings

The manager is visible in the home and leads by example. She is held in high regard by the children, staff and external professionals. Two children live at the home and are supported by a dedicated staff team. In a short time, staff have established nurturing, supportive relationships with the children, ensuring children feel safe and well cared for. Living in this home has also allowed the children to experience many positive opportunities for the first time in their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The members of the staff team are dedicated and spend time getting to know the children during fun activities that children enjoy. Staff are attentive to children’s needs and provide support in a kind and caring way that reassures children. Children said that they feel safe living at the home, and that they can speak to staff when they are feeling sad or worried.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive support from staff and the therapeutic team to help them process life events. All children are offered weekly face-to-face sessions that progress at their own pace. If a session highlights that a child needs more specialist support, then the therapist makes an internal referral. These sessions provide children with a safe space to help them to understand their emotions. The members of the therapeutic team also attend staff meetings to have reflective discussions with staff and improve daily care practices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure smooth transitions for children moving into the home at short notice by preparing the home with their preferred items in advance. When children move out of the home, staff actively support them through planned visits to their new setting and through introductions to their new staff team. To further improve the experiences of children who move in, the manager utilises a holistic matching process supported by therapeutic input.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff promote children to see their families and friends. For children who live far from their home and loved ones, staff make sure that they still see their family. Staff are aware of the emotional strain family time can have. Staff carefully monitor and support children through any anxieties, continuously meeting each child’s specific emotional needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children do not attend school, staff provide daily support to ensure that they maintain their learning through educational activities. For children who face barriers when they are in school, the manager advocates on their behalf to get what the child needs to continue with their learning. One child said, ‘The manager and the teachers listen to me, and now I have the right plan in place for me.’ Nevertheless, agreed actions from personal education plan (PEP) meetings, such as reading support at home, are not Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 4 implemented effectively. Staff do not use creative approaches to engage children who are reluctant to read. This is a missed opportunity to develop children’s confidence in reading.

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

Risk assessments accurately reflect each child’s history and current needs. Children’s support strategies align with individual care plans, and staff articulate these approaches with confidence, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the children’s documented needs. These strategies are clearly detailed in incident records, evidencing a consistent approach when supporting the children.

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

Staff know the children well and successfully de-escalate incidents using verbal redirection and by giving them space. Consequently, there have been no recorded physical interventions in the home. This reflects an effective approach to behaviour management.

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

Staff know the children well and understand their emotional needs. Staff address incidents directly with the children in a sensitive way that leaves them not feeling shamed or embarrassed. Staff listen to children when they talk about their feelings and help them to understand and validate them. Written records of these sessions are child focused, written with curiosity and empathy, and they demonstrate how staff offer support to children when they need it most.

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

Missing-from-home incidents are managed effectively. Records reflect that staff follow children’s plans and work well with the police and social workers. Staff ensure all professionals remain fully informed. When children return home, they receive a formal return home interview as well as discussions with staff. These continuous discussions serve to reinforce the risks associated with going missing.

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

Staff speak with all children involved in any bullying incidents. Through the input of the therapist, children and staff create plans to ensure that the home remains a safe environment and to reinforce that bullying is not tolerated. Through consistent reinforcement and clear boundaries, bullying incidents are minimal.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works hard to embed high standards of care across the home. She is supported by a deputy, and together they are visible in the home. Their hands-on leadership establishes a positive ethos where staff consistently maintain high aspirations for the children’s futures. Staff speak highly of the guidance and support that they receive, reflecting an embedded culture of supportive and effective leadership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager oversees the home’s day-to-day operations, continuously assessing performance to identify strengths and areas for development. Through active monitoring, the manager works directly with the staff to maintain high standards of care for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 5 Partnership working is effective, and there is regular consultation with the children’s families and professionals. These positive relationships ensure that the children receive the best possible care and have positive experiences. Professionals spoken with are happy about the quality of care that children receive. One social worker said, ‘[Child’s name] is getting used to what a ‘normal’ childhood looks like and is experiencing things for the first time.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Supervision sessions are held regularly and provide an open forum for staff to reflect on the children and their own practice. Staff report that these sessions are valuable, enabling them to adapt their practice dynamically to better meet the children’s ever- changing needs. To further enhance staff skills, a comprehensive program is in place to develop staff skills and knowledge. When children have specific or complex needs, targeted support is promptly delivered. This equips the staff with the specialised skills required to meet individual care needs. Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that each child is encouraged to read, emphasising the value of independent reading for enjoyment. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 29, paragraph 5.18)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: SC069198 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 OL12 9EN

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Inspector

Gemma McDonnell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC069198 8 regulates 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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