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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 1 Registered provider: The Rubix Care Group Ltd

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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 home registered with Ofsted in November 2023 and is owned and managed by a small private provider. The home provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties and/or have learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2024.

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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: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

09/07/2024 Full Good 23/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home and another child has recently moved in. Staff provide the child with a warm, child-focused welcome and are beginning to form positive relationships. The child is starting to engage with staff, who are sensitive to their individual needs. Staff are adapting their approach as they become more familiar with the child to ensure that they receive consistent, trauma-informed responses.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff advocated for one child to access appropriate mental health services and demonstrated persistence in seeking the right support. However, despite these efforts, the necessary services were not secured until the end of the child’s time in the home. This delay contributed to an unplanned ending. Staff managed the child’s move from the home as sensitively as possible, providing emotional support and working to maintain stability for the child during this challenging period.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a creative and flexible approach to supporting children’s education, recognising the need to adapt strategies to maintain their engagement. For the child living in the home, staff continue to work closely with education professionals to identify a provision that meets the child’s individual needs and promotes positive learning outcomes. This approach demonstrates the team’s commitment to ensuring that each child receives appropriate educational support and overcomes barriers to learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time is promoted by staff who recognise its importance in maintaining a child’s identity and emotional well-being. When a child has faced challenges in their relationships, staff have taken time to listen to the child’s views and have liaised with social workers to advocate for the child’s wishes. Staff remain committed to the rebuilding of positive family relationships, promoting meaningful connections where these are safe and appropriate.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, the home provides a welcoming and nurturing environment for the child. However, some areas of the home would benefit from improved cleanliness and more timely response to maintenance issues to ensure that there is a consistently high standard throughout.

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

Staff take time to build trusting, nurturing relationships with each child, which helps them to provide effective support. There is a focus for staff in understanding the child’s individual experiences and the specific risks they face. For the child in the home, this remains an ongoing process, with staff working hard to develop their understanding of them and how their previous experiences can impact on their presenting behaviours. Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 4 There has been one reported incident of a child going missing from the home, which was short in duration and appropriately managed by staff in line with the child’s safety plan. Staff responded quickly and the child returned to the home safely, with clear actions identified to manage any future risks.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been an increase in staff’s use of physical and chemical restraints. This increase is reflective of the challenges faced by one child with complex needs, who has since moved on from the home. Incidents are clearly documented and show that interventions are used as a last resort to promote the child and staff’s well-being. Staff respond consistently with a focus on de-escalation and safety. The registered manager has ensured that the child’s views are regularly sought. She has been creative in ascertaining these through child-focused tools when children have not verbally communicated their thoughts.

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

Following incidents, the registered manager has sought therapeutic and multi-agency guidance to ensure that each child and staff are well supported. Staff benefit from clinical guidance and are provided with opportunities to reflect and help inform future practice. Each child is provided with therapeutic input that is adapted to their individual needs to support their ongoing development.

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

Although the home has relevant fire safety risk assessments in place, fire doors were observed to be wedged open, which compromises their effectiveness and poses a potential risk to children and staff. The registered manager took immediate action to address this on inspection. However, ongoing monitoring and staff training are required to ensure that all fire safety protocols are adhered to consistently.

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

The home’s statement of purpose has been reviewed and updated. However, the revised versions have not been promptly shared with the regulator. This limits the regulator’s ability to monitor the home’s functioning effectively. The registered manager acknowledges this oversight and has taken steps to ensure that future updates are submitted without delay.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by an experienced and committed registered manager who models positive practice. Staff feel supported in the home, with one staff member saying they feel ‘confident’ in the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Some staff have experienced challenges and reported feeling overwhelmed at times, particularly during periods of change and increased demand. The registered manager has been proactive in addressing these concerns, offering regular support, promoting positive team dynamics and ensuring that staff feel heard and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Changes have occurred within the staff team that are reflective of challenges faced by staff before one child moved from the home, in addition to staff promotion and maternity leave. The registered manager has been proactive in recruiting suitable staff to the home, although this process is still ongoing. To promote continuity of care and minimise disruption for the child, the registered manager has used support Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 5 from staff based in other homes within the provider network. Core staff are also taking additional shifts, rather than relying on non-permanent staff who are not known to the child. This supports consistency in relationships and helps the child living in the home to feel secure.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular, supportive and reflective supervision sessions. These provide staff with opportunities to explore their practice, discuss challenges and receive guidance. The introduction of a ‘policy of the month’ during these sessions enhances staff development further, encouraging meaningful discussion and promoting a clear understanding of key policies and procedures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are regular, well attended and provide a supportive environment where staff are actively encouraged to share their views and reflect on practice. These meetings promote collaboration and focus on continuous improvement, with the child at the centre of discussions. Clinician input into team meetings ensures that therapeutic resources are shared and reviewed with all team members and that strategies remain consistent, relevant and supportive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Overall, staff recordings are detailed and evaluative, reflecting a good understanding of the child’s needs and progress. However, although the home’s care plans are regularly reviewed, they contain inaccurate or outdated information. This can undermine consistency in care and support. The registered manager is aware of this shortfall and has begun to take steps to ensure that all documentation is accurate, up to date and fully reflective of the child’s current circumstances. Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 6

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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

After consultation with the fire and rescue authority, the registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

take adequate precautions against the risk of fire, including the provision of suitable fire equipment in the children’s home. (Regulation 25 (1)(a))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that fire doors are not compromised by the use door wedges. 1 August 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that when the statement of purpose has been reviewed, a copy of this is shared with the regulating body. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 14, paragraph 3.5)  The registered person should ensure that children are able to experience living in an environment that is homely and clean and that all areas of maintenance are addressed in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Reviewed documents should include accurate and up-to-date information. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2767334 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The Rubix Care Group Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 1, Cottam Lane Business Centre, Cottam Lane, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston, Lancashire PR2 1JR

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Inspector

Carrie Mayes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2767334 8 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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