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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 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 operated by a private provider. It provides care for 1 child who may experience social and emotional 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

At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home and was spoken to by the inspectors.

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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

Date of last inspection: 16 September 2024

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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: 2725038 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/09/2024 Full Good 26/09/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of relationships between staff and children is excellent. One child recently moved to supported accommodation; they had a positive and supportive experience of leaving the home. The child said, 'I think the staff team there, is one of the best and whoever lives there, is really lucky to have them.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When another child moves into the home, staff welcome them carefully and sensitively they visit the child first and help prepare them for the move. Robust care planning reduced disruption for the child, helping the child settle, build positive relationships with staff and maintain their education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s wellbeing guides staff practice. The child’s achievements are recognised and celebrated appropriately. Staff work creatively to ensure the child can express themselves and communicate their views, wishes and feelings. They support the child to engage in play and recognise the impact of trauma, working at the child's pace.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has excellent attendance at school and is making academic progress. Staff provide the child with learning opportunities outside of school to broaden their experiences. One headteacher highlighted the homes strengths as ‘strong and proactive communication, regular attendance at multi agency meetings and celebrating the child’s successes and achievements.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health and receives consistent support. Staff encourage the child to follow a healthy diet, take them to routine health appointments, and seek specialist support when needed. The child enjoys a range of positive experiences in and outside of the home which helps them to build positive childhood memories. Staff keep meaningful photos and videos of these experiences for the child’s life story.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child spends time with important people when this is safe and in line with their wishes and feelings. The child’s voice is actively shared with relevant professionals. Family members say they are kept informed about their child’s care and progress through weekly updates from staff. This supports consistent communication.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefits from a warm and welcoming home, with their personal spaces tailored to their individual interests. However, some areas of the home are beginning to look tired and require redecoration to maintain a consistently high-quality environment.

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

Staff keep the child safe. Their risks and vulnerabilities are well understood by staff. Practice is supported by effective and detailed safety plans that are regularly reviewed and updated. Staff support the child to take age-appropriate risks which support them as they move towards independence. Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 4 Staff have a good understanding of the child’s history and needs. They consistently provide nurturing and loving care to ensure that the child’s emotional needs are met. Staff are alert to emerging risks for the child. Staff work effectively together and with external agencies to constantly develop their knowledge and understanding to meet the needs of the child.

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

Staff promote positive behaviour through rewards, incentives and de ‑ escalation. They manage behavioural incidents well and in line with the child’s plans. Physical intervention is rarely used. When staff do physically hold the child, it is used only as a last resort and in accordance with the child’s safety plan.

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

Children are provided a range of direct work to help develop their knowledge and understanding of risk and how to keep themselves safe. Further work supports children to learn important life skills in preparation for moving on from the home. Staff support children to understand and manage difficult feelings, preparing them for everyday challenges they are likely to face as they grow.

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

Safer recruitment processes are followed. This ensures that the child is provided with safe and appropriate adults in the home.

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

Staff only conduct room searches when a recognised risk exists and they record these searches appropriately with management oversight. However, staff do not always inform the child of the search taking place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is highly skilled, experienced and child centred. The manager knows the child well and is a strong advocate for them. She is held in high regard by the child, staff and professionals. One staff member said, ‘She consistently goes above and beyond in her role, demonstrating dedication, strong leadership and she is highly valued and respected within the team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that they enjoy working in the home. They are proud and enthusiastic about the care they provide and the progress the child makes. Staff are creative and actively adapt their approach to meet the child’s individual needs. There is a stable and experienced staff team in place who are committed to providing good quality care to the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular supervisions and have access to team meetings that provide them with opportunities to reflect on their practice. Staff complete a comprehensive training programme. This includes specialist training to ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to meet the child’s current and emerging needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

When complaints arise, managers handle them efficiently and appropriately. Records of complaints demonstrate actions taken by leaders and managers to resolve issues and evidence clear rationale for decision making. Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 5 There is effective multi-agency working, with regular communication and information sharing. The manager works proactively with other professionals and parents meaning the child’s needs are understood and care planning is effective. Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the home environment is homely, nurturing and meets the needs of the child, ensuring timely maintenance repairs are completed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that the child’s bedroom should only be searched if the child has been informed or asked for their permission. Immediate searching may be necessary where there are reasonable grounds for believing that there is a risk to the child’s or another person’s safety or well-being, however, the child needs to be informed this has taken place. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the quality standards,’ page 16, paragraph 3.20)

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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: 2725038 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. Marys Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspectors

Leanne Carr, Social Care Inspector Rebecca Robson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2725038 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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