Children's home run by Continuum Support

Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 1 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 home is owned by a private company. It is registered to provide 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 the inspection, one child was living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since August 2022.

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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: 2640245 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home. The child had lived at the home for over seven months and made good progress in many aspects of their life. For example, the child was able to complete their education, secure a full- time job and take driving lessons.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s move from the home was well planned and they were supported to transition to a semi-independent home. Work completed with the child prior to them leaving ensured that they had gained the necessary independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has recently moved into the home, and they are settling well. Staff visited the child before they moved in. The child also had an overnight stay at the home. This helped the child to develop initial relationships with staff and to feel less worried about moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child continues to have family time, even though there is a geographical distance between them. The child can have daily telephone contact with their family. Staff support the child to have face-to-face contact with their mother and brother in the school holidays.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have a good understanding of the health needs of the child. Staff support the child to attend all routine health appointments, including specialist services to support good mental health. The child is being supported to try new activities in the local community and this is helping them to develop their interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently attending school and only has access to a tutor for two hours each morning. The manager is working with relevant professionals to plan for the child to return to full-time education. However, the manager has not fully considered what informal learning activities the child can participate in until their formal education is increased.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides a homely and welcoming environment for the child. The child was able to personalise their bedroom by choosing the decor before moving in. The staff have started a memory book for the child by taking photos of the day they moved in and the activities they have taken part in since.

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

The child feels safe and is developing trusting relationships with the staff. The child said, ‘I feel safe in the home and staff treat me with respect, like a young adult. I am happy living here.’ The child has a good understanding of how to complain if they have any concerns. However, there have been no complaints. Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 4 The manager undertook a detailed assessment to understand the child’s needs before their move into the home. This has given the staff a good understanding of the child’s risks. Risk assessments are regularly reviewed as the child settles into the home and the staff get to know more about the child’s needs.

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

The child is starting to develop coping mechanisms and can discuss their worries and concerns around their mental health with staff. This has reduced the child’s self- harming behaviour and the child has not needed any physical intervention or gone missing from the home. This shows clear progress.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s risk around child sexual exploitation, and they have worked with other professionals to help support the child in keeping themselves safe. There is an expectation that staff support the child by monitoring their access to the internet. However, not all the staff have received training around internet safety. It is important that the staff have the relevant training to equip them with the appropriate knowledge and skills to keep the child safe.

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

Staff carry out room searches when there is a recognised immediate risk. Staff ensure that these are handled sensitively, and the child is informed. Records of room searches are maintained with clear management oversight.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced, child-centred and motivated and as high aspirations for the child. The manager works closely with the deputy manager as she also manages another home nearby. There is regular communication between the manager and deputy manager to ensure that there is clear management oversight. The home now has a consistent, passionate and committed staff team, providing consistency for the child. The staff feel supported by the manager and her deputy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has ensured that appropriate plans for the child are in place, and these are kept under review. The plans identify the needs of the child and are known by the staff. The manager works proactively with other professionals, building positive working relationships. This was confirmed by positive feedback from professionals working with the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and deputy manager regularly monitor the quality of care provided in the home. There is clear management oversight. The manager has completed a detailed quality-of-care review, which includes feedback from the child and professionals. It demonstrates that she has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development, and this helps the manager to continually develop the quality of care provided.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to appropriate training, development and induction activities to give them the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the child. The manager should ensure that all staff complete the online training required to meet the needs of the child. Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 5 The manager has ensured that staff are supported effectively through regular team meetings and practice-related supervision. This provides staff with the opportunity to reflect on their practice and review the child’s experiences and progress. Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that there is a clear education plan for children when they are not in full-time education, and that children are supported to complete educational activities in line with this. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that all staff are up to date with their training, specifically in relation to online training. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)

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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: 2640245 7

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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

Simon Jones, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2640245 8 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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