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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 1 Registered provider: Continuum Support - Care Services Ltd

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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 2 children who may have emotional or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, 2 children were living at the home. One child was present during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

There is currently no registered manager in post. However, a new manager has been appointed and has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The children who were living at the home at the time of the last inspection remain living there. Staff support children to maintain relationships that are important to them and to spend time with friends and family. Since the last inspection, the children have started attending a local college provision to complete courses in their chosen subjects.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding practice has improved. Risk assessments have been updated to reflect children’s current risks and are reviewed following incidents of concern. A clear fire safety plan is now in place. This provides staff with guidance about known risks and the action they should take to keep children safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Fire doors are in working order and remain closed. Children have received fire safety education from the fire service, and additional smoke detectors have been installed in response to concerns about one child smoking in their bedroom. Regular bedroom checks enable staff to identify and remove prohibited items promptly.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff generally respond appropriately to incidents involving children. On one occasion, staff supported a child when they returned home intoxicated. However, they did not seek medical advice in line with the child’s plan. Managers responded appropriately to this shortfall through oversight, reflection and challenge. Staff support children to understand risks associated with alcohol and substance misuse and are working with external agencies to help reduce these risks.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff and the manager work effectively with other professionals. Referrals are made to specialist services when required and the manager advocates well for children. Regular team meetings provide opportunities for staff to reflect on incidents, discuss practice and share learning.

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Findings from the inspection

Safeguarding incidents are infrequent. When significant incidents occur, the manager notifies the regulator in a timely manner. This demonstrates a clear understanding of regulatory responsibilities and supports appropriate external scrutiny of safeguarding practice.

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Findings from the inspection

There has been some improvement to the home environment since the last inspection, including new carpets and kitchen flooring. However, several maintenance issues remain outstanding, including damaged tiling and general wear and tear in the main bathroom. Although some of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection in relation to the home environment have been addressed, further work is needed to ensure that the home environment is maintained to a consistently good standard. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/04/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/11/2025 Full Good 26/06/2024 Full Good 13/09/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 4

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Statutory requirements

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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed and furnished so as to—

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Requirement Due date

enable each child to participate in the daily life of the home. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(c)(i)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home is well maintained, including that damage and general wear and tear are addressed in a timely manner.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was raised at the last inspection and is restated. 19 November Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 5

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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: 300 St Marys Road, Garston, Liverpool L19 0NQ

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Inspector

Sonja Vega, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2509802 6 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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