Children's home run by Continuum Support - Care Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 1 Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It is registered to care for up to two children who may experience social and behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in 2021.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 15 March 2022. The report is published on the Ofsted website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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Enforcement action since last inspection: none

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 3

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improvement to be good

This home provides a pleasant environment for one child. The child is staffed 2:1 with agreement by the placing authority. The home is decorated beautifully and is equipped to ensure that the child has all her favourite cuddly toys and suitable games to play with. Her bedroom is decorated with her favourite colour of pink. The inspector observed the child as happy. Positive nurturing attachments with staff were also observed. Some staff are trained in and use British sign language as a method of communication with the child.

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improvement to be good

There is evidence of good practice in the home. However, this requires improvement to ensure that there is a consistent practice within the home. The impact of staff leaving, and the increased number of temporary staff, has had an impact on the child to feel secure with her carers. This has resulted in a significant increase in allegations and incidents within the home, including practice issues within the staff team.

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improvement to be good

The child enjoys a wide range of activities in the community, for example horse riding and swimming. Fun activities during the school holidays are also scheduled. The child told the inspector of her day out at a theme park. The child is also enrolled at a local deaf club. This allows her to build relationships with her peer group. Opportunities like these allow the child to have positive life experiences and help to build on her social skills.

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improvement to be good

The quality of key-work sessions completed with the child demonstrates child- friendly and age-appropriate pictorial images that are clear for the child to understand. The documents help the child to learn about stranger danger and keeping herself safe in the community.

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improvement to be good

The child’s health needs are met in the home. Staff supported the child to attend a hospital appointment some distance away. Staff ensured that the child had a clear plan of her day using helpful pictures to explain the day. This ensured that the child did not feel anxious or worried about the visit.

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improvement to be good

Education needs are supported. However, staff are not consistent in ensuring that the child is dressed in the correct uniform for her school day. Staff also struggle to get the child to school on time. This is unsettling for the child and consequently has a negative impact on her day. The education provider also shared their concerns about the care staff.

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improvement to be good

Staff support the family time arrangements instructed by the placing authority. The inspector spoke to the parent, who voiced her disappointment about the care staff and manager. The parent expressed numerous concerns about the quality of care, for example the lateness of staff to family time. This has resulted in activities having Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 4 to be changed at the last minute, and staff forgetting her child’s glasses. The parent also expressed her unhappiness about a restraint measure imposed by an unqualified member of staff. Fractious relationships between the parent and staff have not been repaired by the manager. A requirement is made to address this matter.

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improvement to be good

All relevant risk assessments and risk management plans are updated by the manager. Documents are detailed and clearly outline behaviour management strategies. However, the inconsistency of staff has led to some staff not following correct procedures. This has led to the child becoming unsettled and, therefore, an increase in allegations against staff.

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improvement to be good

All allegations are reported to the local area designated officer (LADO). The LADO reports that, despite a high volume of referrals, most of the referrals are closed with no further action. There is evidence of good communication between the home and the LADO. However, the LADO has raised practice issues with the provider, as some staff have not followed risk assessments and correct procedures. Managers have put together a practice improvement document that includes recommendations from the LADO.

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improvement to be good

On at least two occasions, staff who were not suitably trained in the restraint procedures adopted by the home used physical intervention strategies prior to completing the correct training. In one example, a restraint measure was necessary to prevent the child running into the road. However, despite staff knowing that there are risks in the community, the staff member who was trained in restraint procedures chose not to accompany the child, and waited in the car instead. A requirement is made to address this matter.

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improvement to be good

After an incident whereby the child obtained a bruise to her back, the provider did not take the appropriate action and take the child for medical attention. Instead, the on-call manager took advice from the local authority emergency out-of-hours service, without exercising their own professional duties and responsibilities for the child. A requirement is made to address this matter.

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improvement to be good

Ofsted did not receive a safeguarding notification in a timely manner. Managers state that this was referred to the LADO and, therefore, were awaiting an outcome before notifying Ofsted. However, due to the age, vulnerability and complexity of the child, Ofsted should have been notified, particularly as the incident related to an allegation. All other notifications have been received in a timely manner; therefore, a recommendation is made to address this matter.

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improvement to be good

The manager locks the front door of the home. A legal representative from the local authority has agreed this to be fair and proportionate to minimise risks to the child. The assessment is based on the location of the home being opposite a busy main road, the child’s age, and her overall vulnerabilities. Locking of doors is a restraint Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 5 measure. This will require a regular review to ensure that it is a fair and proportionate measure in line with the child’s progress, emotional development and understanding of her risks. A recommendation is made to address this matter.

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improvement to be good

Behaviour strategies help the child to explore her emotions when she becomes upset. This helps the child to develop her empathy towards others. In addition, the child has regular play therapy with an external therapist.

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good

There is clear evidence in the home’s records that the manager is robust in the recording of all information. All assessments on files are updated regularly. Managers were able to swiftly evidence and assist the inspection effectively.

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good

It is unfortunate that the home experienced an exodus of four staff at the same time. This has had a detrimental impact on staff shortages and an impact on the consistent quality of care to the child. Staff morale and fatigue have been a concern due to the high number of incidents and allegations.

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good

During this unsettled period, staff report a lack of support from the home’s manager. Staff report feeling unsafe in work due to the high volume of allegations made by the child. New staff report feeling overwhelmed, and that the induction programme has not been sufficient to allow time for new staff to familiarise themselves with the home’s policies and procedures. New staff have not had regular and consistent supervision in line with their induction programme.

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good

When two male members are on an overnight shift pattern, the manager has completed a risk assessment. However, a parent of the child has reported her unhappiness that two male staff members are caring for her child. A recommendation is made to ensure that the staff rota is a balance of male and female staff on each shift.

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good

Staff have regular supervision, but would benefit from reflective supervision. This would help staff to discuss any concerns and identify areas of improvement when supporting children with complex needs. Similarly, team meetings require a space for reflective discussion to ensure that staff have an opportunity to talk about their experiences and challenges.

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good

The external monitoring reports provided by the independent person do not provide a comprehensive overview of the home. The views of parents, the child and professionals are not included. The reports have not been submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner. A requirement is made to address this matter. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

are familiar with, and act in accordance with, the home’s child protection policies. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(a)(v)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Managers should ensure that safeguarding policies in the home are followed. That staff who have completed and passed restraint training will only administer physical interventions as necessary. 30 November

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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 promotes their welfare.

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child; 30 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 7 ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home’s workforce provides continuity of care to each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

research and developments in relation to the ways in which the needs of children are best met; and

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received;

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Requirement Due date

and use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(i)(ii)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person—

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Requirement Due date

if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and

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Requirement Due date

to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires.

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Requirement Due date

A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether—

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Requirement Due date

children are effectively safeguarded; and 30 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 8 the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each employee completes an appropriate induction;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that each permanent appointment of an employee is subject to the satisfactory completion of a period of probation; and

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Requirement Due date

provide each employee with a job description outlining the employee’s responsibilities.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must operate a disciplinary procedure which, in particular—

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Requirement Due date

provides for the suspension from work of an employee if necessary in the interests of the safety or welfare of children; and

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Requirement Due date

provides that the failure on the part of an employee to report an incident of abuse, or suspected abuse, whether past or present, in relation to a child to the appropriate person is a ground on which disciplinary proceedings may be instituted.

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Requirement Due date

For the purposes of this regulation, “the appropriate person” is the registered person, an officer of HMCI, an officer of the local authority in whose area the home is located or a police officer. (Regulation 33 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(b) (3)) 30 November

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children’s home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (d)) 30 November Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 9

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Recommendations

 The provider should ensure that the fitness of the manager is kept under review to ensure that, under regulations 26 and 28 that set out the fitness requirements for the registered provider and managers, the manager is assessed as fit to be in work. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 60, paragraph 12.1)  The registered person must ensure that the necessary support is given to children to enable them to access their education or training. Support may include, for example, putting in place practical arrangements such as transporting the child to school on time, and ensuring that the child has the required equipment and uniform for school. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 5.13)  The registered person should ensure that the restraint measure of locking the front door to the home is kept under regular review in accordance with the child’s

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Recommendations

age and emotional development. A deprivation of liberty may occur where a child is both under continuous supervision and control and is not free to leave the home. A children’s home cannot routinely deprive a child of their liberty without a court order. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 50, paragraph 9.63)  The registered person should ensure that notification of serious incidents under regulation 40(4) requires the registered person to notify Ofsted and other relevant persons if one of the situations specified in regulation 40(4)(a)-(d) occurs, or if there is an incident relating to the protection, safeguarding or welfare of a child living in the home which the registered person considers to be serious (40(4)(e)). Notifications are submitted to Ofsted in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 63, paragraph 14.10).

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home has enough suitably trained staff on duty to meet the assessed needs of all children in the home, including a mixed-gender ratio of staff on duty to meet the required needs of the child. The registered person must demonstrate they are making every effort to achieve continuity of staffing so that children’s attachments are not overly disrupted, including ensuring that the employment of any temporary staff will not prevent children from receiving the continuity of care that they need (regulation 31(1)). (‘Guide to the children’s home regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 51, paragraph 10.1)  The registered person is responsible for ensuring that all staff consistently follow the home’s policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative.

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Recommendations

(‘Guide to the children’s home regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 54, paragraph 10.20) Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 10

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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: 2593261 11

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Sinclair, 300 St Marys Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspector

Kamal Bhamra, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 12 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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