Children's Home run by SBL CARE SERVICES (UK) Limited in Blackpool

Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 1 Registered provider: SBL Care services (UK) Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and managed by a private provider. The home provides care and support for up to two children.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been in post since the home registered in 2019.

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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

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: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/07/2021 Full Outstanding 03/03/2020 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 3

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outstanding

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home and no children have left. The same registered manager is in post. The inspector spent time talking to both children during the inspection, and observed warm and positive interactions between the children and the staff caring for them.

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outstanding

This home provides effective care and support that contribute to considerably improved outcomes for all children. As a result, children are making exceptional progress from their starting points in every area of their development. This includes in education, health, confidence, self-esteem and behaviour.

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outstanding

Children have excellent relationships with all staff caring for them and benefit from the relaxed family atmosphere in the home. The home is presented to a high standard and personalised throughout.

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outstanding

All children’s healthcare needs are detailed in their plans. Healthcare plans fit together with key-work sessions to assist children in making informed decisions and choices in their lives. Important topics such as crime, substance misuse, staying safe online, sexual health, diversity, healthy eating and exercise are examples of some of the areas covered in the excellent work that is carried out with children during key- work sessions.

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outstanding

Staff work closely with children’s families, which is a considerable strength of the home. Staff work sensitively with birth families and support them with effective parenting strategies. Consequently, family relationships have significantly improved, and children spend quality time with family members. The inspector spoke to family members of the children during the inspection. One parent told the inspector, ‘I can’t say anything but positive things about the staff, they are amazing. They always speak to me and I love receiving photos and videos of my child.’

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outstanding

Transitions to and from the home are well planned and effective. When a child moves in, careful and individual planning is put in place to ensure that they are warmly welcomed.

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outstanding

The registered manager and staff have high aspirations for children’s education and consistently encourage the children’s learning. Children have made remarkable progress. Some children have had negative experiences of education previously and have struggled to engage with learning. The deputy headteacher at one child’s school told the inspector, ‘I believe the home works alongside school very well to ensure the best outcomes for [name of child].’ Strong and positive relationships with partner agencies are supporting children to develop, achieve and make excellent progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 4 Children enjoy a range of exciting, educational and fun activities. They have extensive opportunities to take part in a wide range of interests that make use of the home’s location. Through a variety of achievements and by developing strong, positive relationships with the adults around them, children make significant

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outstanding

progress in building their confidence, self-worth and self-esteem.

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outstanding

Not all children have a full awareness of their identity and life history, despite living at the home for a long period of time. This means that children have unanswered questions about their past. It is important that all children are supported by staff caring for them to understand their identity and history and this area of work needs to strengthen.

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outstanding

Children live in a very safe environment, and they are protected from harm. Staff are well trained in safeguarding and can recognise the signs of abuse. Staff are clear about their roles and responsibilities should they have concerns about children, and they take appropriate action to safeguard children in their care. Staff spoke about the children with enormous pride and understanding.

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outstanding

The staff have exceptional relationships with all other professionals and agencies involved in children’s lives. This has strengthened safeguarding practices and the relationships children have with others. The staff’s strong relationships with the children have led to a reduction in all areas of the children’s risks and vulnerabilities. Staff complete and review comprehensive risk assessments and behaviour management plans appropriately when new risks arise and when behaviours become stable and are no longer of concern. This ensures that plans remain current and effective.

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outstanding

The registered manager and staff appropriately balance the need for protection with enabling children to take reasonable risks as part of their growth and development. As a result, children are becoming more independent and enjoy time in their community with friends. The staff team promotes active participation from the children in keeping themselves safe. Children are involved in identifying and agreeing a plan to help them stay safe in the community, which has led to positive outcomes.

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outstanding

Children’s behaviour is very good, and it has significantly improved over time. Children benefit from a nurturing and structured environment where positive behaviour is actively promoted through praise and rewards. Children said that they are treated fairly and that they can openly discuss with staff any worries they may have. Children trust that staff will support them and they feel comfortable confiding in them.

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outstanding

For all children, risk-taking behaviours have significantly reduced while living at this home. Incidents are extremely rare. All children are engaging in education and discussions about their school. Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

A dynamic, proactive and aspirational leader successfully manages this home and the team. He has been in post since the home was registered. The registered manager consistently provides strong leadership to a small, stable, committed and competent staff team. Staff respond enthusiastically to his expectation that they deliver excellent care to all children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All children benefit from living in a home that supports and promotes their emotional well-being, safety and learning needs. Children excel from their starting points and continue to make progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals consistently comment on the excellent quality of care provided. Placing authorities are complimentary about the home and said that staff are skilled in offering safe care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager conducts thorough monitoring of the home. Through reflective discussions and carefully planned approaches, the staff continue to develop and deliver services that have proven benefit to children. Because of consistent and responsive consultation with all stakeholders, there have been no complaints about the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager works well with the independent visitor, who visits on behalf of the provider, to assess the quality of care provided and to identify any development needs required for the home to continue to progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff consistently talk to children about their lives and ensure that their views are central to the running of the home. Children are involved in all aspects of the running of their home. Their records capture their views consistently and their voice comes to life.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff carefully assess and record the progress made by children in all areas of their lives. This information is shared with all stakeholders so that placing authorities are clear about the impact the home is having.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

All staff benefit from regular supervision sessions. They said that these help them to reflect on their performance and ensure that they continually improve the quality of care they provide. The staff all spoke about the support they receive from the registered manager and his commitment to operating the home to a very high standard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager works with the provider to identify training and development needs for the team. He ensures that these are reflected in the development plan for the home. The registered manager is aspirational for both staff and children’s development. Children also engage in training offered by the provider, which has helped enhance their understanding about key issues in society, such as staying safe online and vaping. Staff approach their work with children with Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 6 increased knowledge and understanding of the background to their work. This helps them to be confident in the way they support children and work with other professionals to achieve continuing progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 7

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Recommendation

 The provider should ensure that the importance of understanding who we are and where we come from is recognised in good social work practice, for example through undertaking life-story work or other direct work. Staff in children’s homes should play a full role in work of this kind. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 16, paragraph 3.14)

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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: 2517429 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: SBL Care Services (UK) Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 6 Neptune Court, Hallam Way, Blackpool FY4 5LZ

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Inspector

Jessica Higginson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2517429 9 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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Inspector

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