Children's Home run by Safe Base Care Limited in Wirral

Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 1 SC480075 Registered provider: Safe Base 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 registered to provide care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties. The home is privately owned and managed. The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2020.

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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

Date of last inspection: 25 January 2023

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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: SC480075 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/01/2023 Full Good 08/02/2022 Full Good 06/03/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 04/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 3

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outstanding

There are three children living at the home. The children make significant educational progress. Children who had irregular school attendance now have 100% school attendance. All children have received specialist awards at college for their exceptional achievements. One child is attending three separate learning provisions. Children’s learning levels reflect those of children of the same age and ability. Staff have high aspirations for children.

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outstanding

The home has a warm, friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Staff care about the children and will go over and above to support them. Staff respect each other and are able to rely on their team members for support and guidance. One staff member said, ‘We are all singing from the same hymn sheet.’ Another staff member said, ‘Everyone brings something different to the team.’ Mutual respect and positive role modelling are mirrored in the staff’s relationships with the children.

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outstanding

Children are well prepared for independent living. Staff promote a strong work ethic that includes shared responsibilities. The children have routines that include Sunday reflection and preparation day. Children and staff agreements include not using mobile phones at the dinner table. This encourages healthy conversations about each other’s day. Staff are genuinely interested in the children’s daily lives and how well they are doing.

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outstanding

Staff support children to overcome social barriers. Staff respond to children’s fears and anxieties by promoting their confidence to engage in social activities and other community groups. Staff advocate for children and challenge services when they recognise substandard resources.

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outstanding

Children are very happy in their home, and they like all the staff. Children have very good relationships with staff. This supports mutual respect and togetherness. Staff consult with children. Children’s meetings and direct work promote learning. Staff and children update safety plans and agree future goals together.

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outstanding

Staff have amazing relationships with children and use these when addressing behaviour. Consistent routines and expectations support children to make positive life choices. Staff reward children for their efforts and achievements. Staff help children to understand why they want the best for them. Children appreciate staff’s advice and guidance and adhere to rules and requests. Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 4 All children know who they can go to if they want to make a formal complaint. Children receive a welcome pack on arrival at the home, which details how to make a complaint. Complaint forms are available; this allows children to make a complaint in private. Two children said, ‘I can speak to any of the staff if I have worries or concerns.’

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outstanding

Staff work with children to create highly effective safety plans, which helps children to have a strong sense of safety and well-being. Children do not go missing from the home. Staff hold discussions with children if they return home late. Staff help children to understand safety concerns. Reminders help children to comply and understand the importance of staying safe.

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outstanding

Staff hold open and honest discussions with children. Staff educate children about the impact of drug use. This supports improved decision-making. Children are healthy. Good health is promoted in the home. Children go to the gym, play football and use their bikes to commute. Staff encourage a healthy diet and cooking methods.

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outstanding

Staff promote healthy risk-taking. Children benefit from the opportunity to explore new experiences. Staff understand children’s risks. Staff hold discussions with professionals and children to support care planning. Staff use reflective discussion to support children’s decision-making. Staff set consistent boundaries. These cement expectations and help children to feel safe and secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has high aspirations for the children, which are replicated by the staff team. She understands the importance of high-level care delivery. The manager uses her wealth of experience to provide continuous development. Staff sufficiency is excellent; they describe their colleagues as an extended family. This creates a harmonious, respectful environment where children can live and flourish.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses case reviews and research to support learning. She works in partnership with the police and local authority. The manager is involved in an initiative to support breaking down barriers. This has resulted in other local children’s homes improving their ways of working.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Cohesive working is another strength of the manager. The manager and staff collaborate. One professional said, ‘The staff and manager are exceptional.’ A member of a child’s family said, ‘I would love to live here; the staff are sweet.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses her knowledge and experience to advocate and challenge decision-making. Children are well prepared when they move out of the home. Extensive preparation of plans meets children’s moving-on needs. This enhances life chances and supports children’s emotional and practical independence. Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 5 Staff who are working towards qualifications are ahead of schedule. There is extensive child-centred training. Staff have individual development plans. Supervision sessions are regular and reflective; they include critical analysis to support improvement. Staff said that the manager strives for their improvement and invests in them. Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 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: SC480075 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Safe Base Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 5 Princess Terrace Prenton Wirral CH63 5RB.

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Inspector

Sally Hallwood, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for Children’s home: SC480075 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 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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