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

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A private provider operates this children’s home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for two children who may have emotional or social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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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

Date of last inspection: 17 October 2023

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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: 2593261 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

17/10/2023 Full Good 16/08/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between children and staff are mostly positive. Staff understand the impact children’s experiences can have on their relationships. When relationships are not positive, staff work hard to understand why and take steps to repair them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff work hard to build positive relationships with children’s families. This has included inviting families to important celebrations at the home. Staff plan for and take children to see their families. Children maintain their identities and spend time with those important to them. Family members praise staff for the care provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff plan the discussions they will have with children, so that all important areas are covered. Staff talk to children about the things that are important to their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education and staff make significant efforts to communicate with multi- agency links to advocate the learning needs of the children. Some of the relevant documentation for children is not on file alongside electronic files. This does not reflect children’s current progress and changes in their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well decorated and well maintained. The interior spaces are clean, welcoming and spacious. Children can personalise their bedrooms when they move in according to their tastes and interests. Children have photos of activities and people who are important to them throughout the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Some minor repairs are required in the rear garden. Staff and children have separate bathroom facilities and there are alarms on exterior doors which sound each time the doors are opened. This does not encourage a homely impression.

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

Risks assessments contain relevant risks and are updated regularly. They contain clear strategies for staff to follow. Staff understand the risks to children and how to manage them.

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

Staff have consistent boundaries with children. They put in place contracts with children to ensure that expectations are clear, such as the use of their mobile phone or online resources. Staff use incentives to encourage children’s positive behaviour. Children know the expectations on their behaviour and experience consistency of care.

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

When staff give consequences to children, they are fair, proportionate and linked to the behaviour shown. Consequences are restorative and give the child the opportunity to fix the issue. Children are helped to understand the impact of their behaviour on themselves and others. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 4 Children do not make complaints about the home, although they know how to do so. A multi-agency approach is taken to ensure children feel listened to and are confident in the care they receive.

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

Medication storage is not secure. Medication records are not consistent. This means that medication could be administered wrongly, which could harm children.

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

Passwords to the computer system where children’s records are kept are not secure. This means that it is possible for children to access other children’s records and their confidentiality be breached.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a strong commitment to ensuring that all staff are well prepared and supported in their roles. The induction process for new staff is thorough, which ensures that new staff are equipped with the information they need to undertake their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The workforce development plan addresses staff training and development needs effectively. All staff are up to date or have planned training, aligning with the home’s statement of purpose and tailored to meet the specific needs of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monthly supervision is offered to all staff, including agency workers. This provides all staff with ongoing support and guidance. Staff are offered annual appraisals, which supports their development. Staff say they feel supported by the manager. This reflects a positive and cohesive work environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment practices are in place. This ensures that all staff are vetted and assessed as safe and qualified for their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular team meetings, which enables them to discuss their plans and ambitions for the children. There is also a thorough handover of information when staff change shift. This ensures that care practice is consistent and that boundaries are clear. This means children feel secure. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 5

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Statutory requirement

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

The registered person must make arrangements for the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines received into the children’s home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that—

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Requirement Due date

medicine which is prescribed for a child is administered as prescribed to the child for whom it is prescribed and to no other child.

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Requirement Due date

a record is kept of the administration of medicine to each child.

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person should ensure that medication records are completed when a child has been administered medication, or if a child has refused medication. (Regulation 23 (1) (2)(b)(c)) 18 January 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person must ensure that repairs are completed in a timely fashion and that children have access to all the home’s facilities and that both staff and children are able to use both bathrooms. The registered person should seek as far as possible to maintain a homely environment, including ensuring that the door alarm is not activated all day. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that children’s education plans are up to date and accessible to staff. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 17, paragraph 13.28)  The registered person should ensure that records are stored securely and ensure that children do not have access to the records of other children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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Recommendations

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 6

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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 7

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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 Mary’s Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspectors

Cathy Wilkins, Social Care Inspector Paul McKay-Smith, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2593261 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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