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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 1 The Rubix Care Group Limited

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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. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. The inspector spoke to the child.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

On 11 November 2025, Ofsted carried out an assurance inspection. Serious and widespread failures were identified. As a result, compliance notices were issued in relation to regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard. This monitoring visit was carried out to review the provider’s progress in meeting the compliance notices.

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This monitoring visit

During this visit, Ofsted found improvements had been made and the compliance notices had been met, with clear progress evident. The manager was present during the visit and actively overseeing the day-to-day running of the home.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, the manager has introduced risk-reduction measures. A new vehicle policy sets out clear expectations and procedures for staff to follow. This policy is consistently applied and has successfully prevented any further incidents of the child gaining unauthorised access to vehicles.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments have been fully reviewed and now include all known risks for the child. These provide staff with clear guidance detailing any measures in place to Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 2 reduce risks. Behaviour support plans provide practical strategies to help staff respond effectively to any concerns.

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This monitoring visit

On one occasion, the child’s whereabouts were unknown when they were away from home. Staff followed agreed plans and responded effectively. The incident has been explored with the child to help staff understand the reasons for them going missing and to inform future support.

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This monitoring visit

The manager is consistently present in the home and has built a positive relationship with the child. Furthermore, he has improved oversight of staff practice and the quality of care the child receives. However, he has not ensured that cleaning and maintenance are adequate, resulting in some areas of the home not being as welcoming as expected.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have completed additional training. Leaders and managers recognise that staff development and training are ongoing processes. They also acknowledge that testing staff knowledge and their understanding of risks is not yet fully embedded.

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This monitoring visit

The child speaks positively about the staff. Staff continue to support the child to access community resources, including the gym. The child is making steady progress from their starting point.

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This monitoring visit

A case review was held on 9 January 2026. It was agreed that, despite some remaining shortfalls, the steps of the compliance notices have been met. One requirement was not reviewed at this visit and is therefore restated.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/04/2025 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 3

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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

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person who used the measure ("the user"), and of any other person present when the measure was used;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so ("the authorised person")—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and 6 February 2026 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 4 within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that any use of physical intervention is recorded within the required timescale and that the child is spoken to about the measure in a timely manner.

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are suitably trained to meet the needs of children living in the home and that their knowledge is tested to ensure that learning is embedded in practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 51, paragraph 10.1)  The registered person should ensure that children are provided with a welcoming and homely domestic environment. This specifically relates to ensuring that there are appropriate cleaning and hygiene systems in place and the manager having adequate oversight of conditions in the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 5

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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

Kitty Wiper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2799971 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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