Children's Home run by The Rubix Care Group Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2769769 1 Registered provider: The Rubix Care Group Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It provides care for one child with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home does not currently have a registered manager. A new manager is in post and has submitted their application to register with Ofsted.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2769769 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys trusted relationships with staff, who communicate effectively with each other to provide consistency of care for the child. Staff promote positivity and humour in the home and are aspirational for the child’s future. The child engages in a wide range of activities with the staff. The child is settling well into the home and expanding their life experiences.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager completed an assessment of the child’s needs and staff’s experience and ability to meet those needs before the child came to live in the home. This is detailed and well considered. The manager also included a period of introductions for the child prior to them moving into the home which meant that this was a positive move for the child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When barriers to the child attending education were identified, the manager worked effectively with external agencies to find a solution that works best for the child. Consequently, the child is now regularly attending their educational provision and is on track to achieve the qualifications they are working towards.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child’s health needs are met. The child has not yet attended some routine medical appointments, but staff are encouraging them to do so. Staff support the child to cook healthy, balanced meals and encourage physical activities outside of the home. This supports the child to lead a healthy lifestyle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff recognise and understand the importance of the child spending time with people who are important to them. Staff support and, when appropriate, supervise family time. This is important to the child’s sense of self and their identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is appropriately developing their skills in preparation for living independently in the future. Staff are in the early stages of supporting the child to complete tasks independently and have clear plans for this.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is decorated and furnished to a good standard and has a homely feel. The child’s bedroom is personalised to their taste, with their choice of lighting and colour. Staff have plans to improve the home by putting up photos of the child taking part in activities, which will create a more welcoming environment for the child.

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

Staff have the skills, knowledge and understanding to support the child to keep themselves safe. Risk assessments are clear and detailed and show a good understanding of the child’s needs. They include clear guidance for staff to follow and are regularly updated. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769769 3 There have been some incidents of the child going missing from home. The child has an individual missing-from-home plan which the staff follow. Staff are proactive in trying to find the child. When the child returns, staff speak with them and educate them about risks in the community. Staff have a good understanding of the reasons why the child has been missing from home and are working with relevant professionals to find appropriate solutions.

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

The child’s behaviour is managed well, using positive reinforcement and incentives. Staff have implemented a daily routine which the child has been involved in creating. This includes activities of the child’s choice, as incentives for positive behaviour. Staff have a good understanding of the child’s needs and no consequences or physical interventions have been used since the child moved into the home.

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

Effective recruitment procedures enable the careful selection and recruitment of staff. Monitoring of visitors to the home further ensures the protection of the child from potential harm.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is new in post and has applied to be registered with Ofsted. He is a dedicated and child-centred leader and is aspirational for the child. He knows the child well and understands their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager communicates well with partner agencies. Professionals involved with the child say communication is ‘really good’ and they are kept well informed about the child’s care. Professionals say staff are consistent in their approach and respond quickly to any requests made. As a result, there is effective multi-agency working in place for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they feel supported by the manager and enjoy coming to work. They describe the manager as being ‘approachable and passionate.’ One staff member said, ‘He is a guiding light.’ The staff are driven and very enthusiastic about offering high-quality care to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager supports the staff’s education and development. Staff are provided with a wide range of training to meet the individual needs of the child. Staff discuss their care of the child during regular supervisions and team meetings. However, on a small number of occasions, the manager’s monitoring and auditing have not identified shortfalls in the staff’s response to incidents, which means the staff do not have the opportunity to reflect on their practice. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769769 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person 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 must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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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

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(h)) 28 February 2024

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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: 2769769 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Rubix Care Group Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1, Cottam Lane Business Centre, Cottam Lane PR2 1AF

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Inspector

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2769769 6 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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