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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 1 Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is owned and operated by a private provider. It offers care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

One child has been living in the home for over a year.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2022.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 27 February 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/02/2024 Full Good 29/11/2022 Full Good 19/07/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is content, settled and making progress. There is a feeling of calmness, with the positive sounds of laughter and chattiness. The child uses all areas of the home and interacts with the adults in a relaxed and confident manner.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has positive relationships with staff. Managers and staff demonstrate a commitment to building positive, trusting relationships with the child. Where relationships require strengthening, the manager takes steps to reflect on practice and implement strategies to support the child’s emotional well-being and development effectively. This ensures that the child feels supported and secure.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child recently travelled to Australia to visit family members, which was a significant personal milestone. During this time, they were able to reconnect with relatives they had not seen for a long time. This experience has had a positive impact. It has inspired the child and created new aspirations.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager sought guidance from external agencies to ensure that staff were well prepared to provide the additional support required for the child’s return home following their holiday. As a result, staff have been able to support the child effectively in readjusting to their routine.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is confident in sharing their views, wishes and feelings. The manager responds well to the child’s views and opinions, and the child can contact the responsible individual if they do not feel heard. Actions are in place to address complaints made by the child.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is not currently enrolled in education. The manager has taken proactive steps to secure a suitable school placement and has ensured that plans are reviewed to identify an appropriate setting. A tutor visits the home and is building a positive relationship with the child to support their continued learning. However, staff are not consistently proactive in providing structure to the child’s day or ensuring access to meaningful educational activities, which limits opportunities for further development and engagement.

p.3

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

Staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities. They know about the child’s vulnerabilities and the risks that they face. Risks are assessed, and guidance is in place for staff to follow to keep children safe.

p.3

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

The child rarely goes missing from home. When this happens, staff follow the plans and protocols that are in place and take swift action to help return the child home safely. When this or any other incident happens, the child is offered the opportunity to share Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 4 their thoughts and feelings. This means that the child has developed the skills and ability to recognise risks and keep themselves safe.

p.3

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

The home is warm, homely and welcoming. The decoration and furnishings are reflective of a comfortable and safe family home. The manager ensures that the home is well maintained and identifies areas which need repair quickly.

p.4

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

Direct-work sessions with the child are of a high quality, and records provide a detailed and clear picture of the child’s experiences. These sessions are integral in supporting the child to understand the issues that are affecting them. They also enable staff to track the child’s progress and ensure that the child receives care that is tailored to meet their needs.

p.4

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

Staff recruitment is carried out safely and thoroughly, ensuring that only qualified staff are employed to work in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are united, clear and realistic about the home’s strengths and areas for development. The manager has reflected openly on the challenges and achievements experienced in the last year. She demonstrates a commitment to improving the home and ensuring that children receive the best possible care.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children well and advocates for what is in their best interests. The manager and staff have effective links with external agencies, such as schools, social workers and health professionals, to provide support to the home and the children. This ensures a child-centred, wraparound approach to providing the best outcomes for children. Feedback received from professionals is positive.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff meetings are now held regularly and there is good staff attendance. The child is the focus of the meetings. The manager offers additional support and learning to staff during meetings. The manager also leads regular multidisciplinary meetings with professionals, including therapists and social workers, who attend to discuss the ongoing care of the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by the managers and speak of them positively. One member of staff said, ‘I cannot overstate the importance of [name of manager]’s management. Her continuous motivation, guidance and love have been the backbone of what I deem success.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions are regular and are an integral part of the support system for staff development. These sessions provide staff with time to reflect on their practice, discuss challenges and receive constructive feedback. Appraisals for staff who have worked in the home for a year are not always carried out within the necessary time frame. Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff have their performance and fitness to carry out their role formally appraised at least once annually. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)  The registered person should ensure that children who are not participating in education or are not on a school roll are supported to engage in suitable structured activities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

p.5

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: 2593623 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2593623 7 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7