Children's Home run by Continuum Care Support – Care Services Limited in St Helens

Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 1 Registered provider: Continuum Support – Care Services Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately operated and provides care for up to two children who may have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, one child was living at the home. Inspectors spoke to the child during the inspection.

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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: 2509802 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/06/2024 Full Good 13/09/2023 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Good 10/08/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 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, and one child has moved in. The child moved out of the home in an unplanned way following a significant incident at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move into the home, their known risks and vulnerabilities are documented in detailed risk assessments and plans. These are used to keep children safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is making good progress from their starting point. The child had previously spent extended periods of time alone in their bedroom and now spends more time out of their bedroom engaging in shared activities with staff, such as gaming. This improves the child’s social interactions and emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of each child’s academic achievements and learning targets. The child attends education regularly and spoke enthusiastically about their experience on a work placement. Staff support the child’s aspirations and prepare them for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the child has access to age-appropriate information about their health and medication. They listen carefully to the child’s concerns and offer guidance that helps them to make informed decisions about their well-being. As a result, the child has developed greater independence and takes increased responsibility for managing their own health. This promotes the child’s confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged to have a healthy lifestyle. Staff support the child with consistent hygiene routines and becoming more active. Staff encourage the child to go to the gym, which the child enjoys, and which has also helped them to maintain a healthy weight and reduced the risk of future medical conditions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported well to spend quality time with their close family and friends. This enables them to maintain and strengthen relationships with those who are important to them. As a result of staff’s consistent support, family connections are nurtured.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is encouraged to express their views. Regular one-to-one consultations between staff and the child focus on the child’s needs. The child is consulted about their future, and meetings have taken place with their social worker to consider this. Staff advocate for the child, and together they have explored realistic options. This demonstrates that the child feels listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage the child’s independence by encouraging them to undertake household chores, clean their bedroom, cook some meals and do some shopping. This gives the child a positive sense of responsibility and the opportunity to informally develop their independence skills. Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 4

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

When the child goes missing from the home, staff respond promptly and take appropriate action to ensure their safe return. On their return, the child is welcomed back with unconditional positive regard, which helps to maintain trusting relationships. Staff undertake one-to-one consultations and debriefs with the child to explore the reasons for their absence and any associated risks.

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

Safeguarding incidents are managed effectively by staff and managers. During a recent significant incident involving a fire at the home, staff responded quickly and appropriately to ensure the safety of all children and to protect the premises. Children were supported to share any concerns with staff following the incident. The registered manager acted promptly to review and update the home’s fire risk assessment and ensured that all fire safety equipment was either serviced or replaced without delay. This means that the home environment remains safe for children.

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

Staff undertake room searches when necessary and in response to incidents or concerns. Staff have detailed discussions with the child following any room search in order to talk about any risks identified. For example, following one room search, staff discussed the dangers of cannabis use and shared relevant information and facts. This ensures that the child understands the reasons why room searches are carried out.

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

The manager is proactive in identifying and managing risks in the local area. The manager has established clear processes to identify and assess emerging risks in the community. These are reviewed regularly, and the child’s views are incorporated into the assessment process. Managers maintain working positive relationships with the local police, which supports their knowledge and understanding of local issues and informs how best to support and safeguard children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is qualified and experienced. The manager is supported by an effective deputy manager, and together they maintain good oversight of the home. Managers know the child well and have a good understanding of their needs. Managers and staff recognise the impact of children’s early experiences, and the staff team share a consistent and positive ethos.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff training is up to date and new staff receive a thorough induction. Staff benefit from bespoke training delivered by external professionals to support them to meet children’s individual needs, which has led to positive outcomes for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a stable staff team in place and staff feel well supported by managers. They feel that they have helped to bring positive change to the home. The members of the team demonstrate their resilience in managing recent challenges and continue to work effectively together. The manager has established effective working relationships with other professionals, and these relationships improve outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 5 Staff receive regular and supportive supervision, where they can have open discussions and reflect on their practice and their relationships with children. Appraisals have been carried out. However, they do not include feedback from colleagues or children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff show genuine care for the children, and parents appreciate the quality of care provided. One member of staff said, ‘Management are very approachable and down to earth, which creates the best environment for growth and best practice.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff appraisals take into account, where reasonable and practical, the views of children and other professionals who have worked with the staff member over the year. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.5)

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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: 2509802 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 Accounting Co Ltd, 300 St. Mary’s Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspectors

Sally Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Julia Edwards, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 8 regulates and inspects 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 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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