Children's home run by SBL CARE SERVICES (UK) Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 1 Registered provider: SBL Careservices (UK) Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children spoke to the inspector about their experiences of living in the home.

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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: 17 January 2024

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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: 2746466 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

One child has moved into the home since the last inspection. The children living in the home are making significant progress because of the care provided by the registered manager and staff team. Feedback from external professionals was highly complimentary, One professional stated that the change they saw in one child was ‘nothing short of amazing’.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children’s moves into the home are carefully planned to consider their needs. Moves are reviewed and progressed in consultation with the child. As a result, one child who has had a high number of moves has settled comfortably into his new home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children living in the home have made exceptional progress in all areas. One child who struggled to manage their emotions, leading to significant periods of distress, now has few incidents. Both children’s attendance at school has improved significantly, and for a sustained period. This has led to the children having a renewed sense of self-belief.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children have positive, warm and caring relationships with all staff. Children interact with everyone in a relaxed and happy manner. Staff know the children well and speak confidently about their needs. Staff are consistent with boundaries in the home and their approach to both the children. This has resulted in the children feeling safe and secure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are involved in how their home runs. Staff speak with the children regularly and the children know that their wishes will be listened to and acted on. Both children were able to talk about their favourite member of staff and why they trust them. They did not raise any worries or concerns about any of the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager proactively challenges and advocates for the children’s health needs to be met. Despite having a diagnosis for a health condition, one of the children had no support from health professionals. The registered manager took active steps to make sure relevant professionals were involved in supporting the child when they moved into the home. This has had a significant impact for this child and their emotional and educational well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The registered manager explores relevant research to find additional ways to support the children, for example, using breathing techniques and sounds and lights to support children to regulate themselves. This is shared with the team and then sessions are carried out with the children. Staff then remind the children of these techniques at times when they may be useful.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The children’s bedrooms are personalised to their tastes and contain what is important to them, such as photos of their family and gaming devices. The home is a well-decorated, homely environment with photos displayed throughout of the children enjoying their time in activities and with the staff team. Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 4

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

Children living in the home are protected effectively from harm. The registered manager and staff team have an in-depth knowledge of the children’s risks. The staff team keeps the children safe by implementing clear and consistent boundaries. All incidents are responded to with urgency to keep the children safe. The registered manager and staff reflect on incidents and consider opportunities to develop and support learning for the children and staff, through training and research that underpins practice.

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

The registered manager ensures that there are clear and individualised risk assessments in place for each child. The staff understand the strategies in them and implement them consistently. There is regular communication with external professionals to ensure that good practices are in place, and risks have been successfully minimised.

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

The registered manager and the team use age-appropriate strategies to support the children in safely expressing their feelings. They have incorporated practices from research, such as breathing techniques, in the children’s daily lives. Both children were able to identify members of staff they trust. This has significantly reduced the number of incidents in the home and allows the children to feel safe expressing how they are feeling.

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

The registered manager and team ensure that positive behaviour is promoted. The staff are skilled in de-escalation techniques which work for both the children, and there has been a significant improvement in one child’s behaviours. There have been no incidents of physical restraint, despite the need for staff to manage some very challenging incidents. If staff need to physically intervene, all are trained to hold children safely.

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

There have been no incidents of the children going missing from the home. However, the registered manager has ensured there is a regularly reviewed protocol in place should they go missing. Staff are aware of the action they need to take if the children were to go missing from the home.

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

Professional practice has resulted in sustained improvement in the children’s lives. The registered manager has carried out in-depth research into the risks and needs identified for the children, including child exploitation, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. The staff team uses the information gathered to hold sessions with the children, and for learning to be implemented in day-to-day practice in the home. These actions have led to a significant reduction in risk for a child who was being both criminally and sexually exploited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is run by a suitably experienced registered manager who has very high aspirations for the children and the staff team. The registered manager leads with a positive attitude. She is inspirational, confident and ambitious for the children. This filters Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 5 through to the staff, who share the same aspirations for the children. The registered manager advocates in a way which goes above and beyond for the children in her care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have effective systems in place to ensure that an excellent quality of care is provided to the children. The registered manager is proactive in building positive relationships with external professionals and advocating for the children. She challenges local authorities if decisions are not in the children’s best interests.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The home is adequately staffed to meet the needs of the children. The registered manager provides the staff team with regular and meaningful supervision which is tailored to them and their needs. The staff say supervisions and team meetings are useful in increasing their ability to meet the needs of the children and building on their knowledge and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The registered manager is confident in identifying the home’s strengths and areas for improvement, which allows her to review effectively the quality of care provided to the children. The registered manager and team collate feedback from the children, however, this has not been included in the reviews. This is an area that needs improving, however, it has had minimal impact on the children living in the home. Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 6

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Statutory requirements

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

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children ("a quality of care review") at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the quality of care provided for children;

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(a)(b) (5)) 28 February 2025

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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: 2746466 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: SBL Careservices (UK) Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 17 St Peters Place, Fleetwood, Lancashire FY7 6EB

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Inspector

Rose Maddocks, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2746466 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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