Children's Home run by Continuum Support - Care Services Limited in Knowsley

Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 1 SC473375 Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This children’s home is privately owned. The provider states in the statement of purpose that they provide care for two children who may have social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2021.

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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 outstanding

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 30 November 2021

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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: SC473375 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/11/2021 Full Good 04/11/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/01/2019 Full Good 07/11/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is one child currently living in the home, who has continued living here since the previous inspection. She was observed to be happy and settled in the home. Staff know her well. The child has positive relationships with established members of the team. Staff who are new to the home, work hard to develop trusting relationships. They show their commitment to supporting the child. The manager is carefully considering the suitability of new children moving in, based on the child’s wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager identifies when staff are no longer meeting the needs of children and works hard to find alternative placements. She recognises when children’s placements compromise the safety and well-being of other children. When children are moving on, staff work hard to support them with building independence skills and their transition to independent living. Children who have moved out maintain contact with staff. This demonstrates the strong relationships children have developed while living at this home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the barriers for children who are reluctant to attend education. They maintain good communication with education professionals to support attendance and engagement. Staff advocate on behalf of children. This ensures that education placements are meeting children’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children’s health needs well. Children are supported to attend health appointments and reviews. Staff develop strong relationships with health professionals and work hard to promote children’s engagement with all who are supporting them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with their families and those important to them. One social work professional commented that, ‘The main area of progress [name of child] has made since living in the home is her relationship with her mother.’ The manager advocates for children when arrangements are not in their best interests. Family and friends are welcomed into the home. This supports children to spend time with those close to them on a more informal basis. Staff recognise the importance of children’s relationships and invite those close to them to join activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff listen and respond to children’s views and requests for activities. The child currently living in the home recently enjoyed a trip to London and a trip to the theatre. This was her preferred choice over a trip to Euro Disney. Photos in memory books of activities and holidays children have enjoyed capture memories. Staff produce certificates for children to celebrate achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Complaints are managed well and children are listened to. Following complaints, staff amend their practice in accordance with children’s wishes. Debriefs are Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 4 undertaken with children following incidents. This means that children feel their views are respected.

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

Staff understand children’s risks and work hard to keep children safe both in the home and the community. Risk assessment documents include clear guidance and strategies for staff to follow. As a result, staff work consistently to keep children safe.

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

Incidents of children going missing from the home are managed well. Staff actively look for children and demonstrate commitment to keeping children safe. The manager challenges social work professionals when return home interviews are not arranged promptly. Staff work hard to understand the triggers for children going missing from home. Staff are proactive in implementing strategies to reduce the risk of further incidents.

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

Staff are proactive in addressing issues in children’s relationships. They develop positive relationships with the families of children’s friends to address emerging risks and concerns. Staff take swift action to implement support from external agencies to address children’s substance misuse.

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

The manager has worked hard to develop a strong relationship with the local police community support officer, who visits the home regularly on an informal basis. This has encouraged the child to engage with support. As a result, the risks to the child have reduced.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the risks posed to children online. They are vigilant in monitoring children’s use of mobile phones and social media. Staff are proactive in implementing strategies and restrictions to address concerns.

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

Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to support children. Direct work with children addresses incidents of negative and challenging behaviour. However, the child’s records do not include clear guidance or strategies for staff to follow in response to verbal abuse from the child. Staff have also not provided the child with clear expectations in line with her understanding to support her in this area.

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

There have been a number of changes in the staff team since the last inspection. Recruitment practices for new members of staff working in the home are safe. New staff work hard to get to know children and to develop positive relationships with them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 5

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager knows the child well and is actively involved in her daily care. She strives to provide outstanding care to children . Continued support is provided to children when they have moved out. The manager works hard to create a warm and homely environment for children to live in.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager is an excellent advocate for children. She works hard to ensure that children receive a high level of care at all times. The manager effectively challenges decisions made by professionals when they are not in children’s best interests. She escalates concerns appropriately when support is not put in place to meet children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has developed excellent relationships with professionals involved in children’s care. She recommends creative strategies for professionals to use to promote engagement with children. Social work and education professionals say that the communication from the manager is excellent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff say that they are well supported. They say that the manager is motivational and inspiring. Staff benefit from regular supervision, on a formal and informal basis. Staff say that the manager is approachable and always available to discuss issues as they arise. Team meetings are reflective and child-focused. Reflective debriefs take place following incidents or when children move on from the home. This supports staff to learn from incidents or following the ending of children’s placements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Bespoke training is delivered in team meetings on topics relevant to children’s needs. The manager is proactive in organising training for staff when emerging risks or needs are identified for children. Staff say that they find the training opportunities invaluable.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professional development for staff working in the home is actively encouraged and supported. One member of staff commented, ‘[Name of manager] sees my potential and pushes me to achieve the best I can.’ The manager addresses any practice issues with staff promptly. She works hard to promote child-centred practice at all times.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager uses effective monitoring systems to ensure high-quality care is provided to children at all times. Children’s feedback is sought to support further development of the care provided. Feedback obtained from staff leaving the home also supports future staff retention. Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 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

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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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

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding. (Regulation 11 (1)(b)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, managers must ensure that risk management plans provide clear guidance for staff on addressing verbal abuse.

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Requirement Due date

This also relates to the child being given clearer expectations of respectful interactions. 15 December Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 7

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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: SC473375 8

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Limited

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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

Claire Hobbs, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC473375 9 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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