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

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 1 Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Limited

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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

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

The home is comfortable and homely. Children’s bedrooms are personalised and there are photos of the children throughout the home.

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The care of children

Children have lots of opportunities to have their voices heard. They can speak to staff or the manager. Children know how to make a complaint and when they do, their complaints are taken seriously. Children say that they trust staff.

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The care of children

Staff do communicate with partner agencies, but this is not always consistent. On one occasion, children told education staff of events that happened before they were informed by staff at the home.

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The safety of children

The children have risk assessments in place and staff have read them and are aware of the children’s risks. This helps keep children safe.

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The safety of children

There are individual behaviour management plans in place for children. However, staff have struggled to manage some of the children’s behaviour. Staff have used incentives to try and encourage good behaviour.

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The safety of children

Staff have completed basic safeguarding training. However, some staff have not completed all the company’s mandatory training, which compromises their ability to recognise every risk the children may be subject to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager has not been present in the home for several months and the home has been managed by another manager who works for the company.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded effectively to the requirements and recommendations set at the last inspection and practice has improved.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff have received regular supervision. However, not all supervision records demonstrate that staff have the opportunity to reflect on the children and their behaviours, which means that they are missing learning opportunities. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 4

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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 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

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child. (Regulation 13 (1) (2)(c)) 28 April 2023

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff communicate effectively with partner agencies to ensure that they are kept up to date, and that the staff team consistently works in collaboration with these agencies. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 56, paragraph 11.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff have the opportunity to discuss the children and reflect on their practice. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2) Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 5

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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 Accounting Co Limited, 300 St Marys Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspector

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2593261 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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Inspector

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