Children's Home run by St Christopher’s Fellowship in Camden

SC025695 Unique reference number 27 November 2009 Inspection date Seka Graovac Inspector Random Type of Inspection

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This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated.

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You can obtain copies of The Children Act 2004, Every Child Matters and The National Minimum Standards for Children's Services from: The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Cripins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcome for children set out in the Children Act 2004 and relevant National Minimum Standards for the establishment.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is strong Good: this aspect of the provision is sound Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is not good enough Inadequate: 3 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025695

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Brief description of the service

The provider is a registered childcare charity and housing association. It's motto is being passionate about positive outcomes. The home offers periods of planned care to children and young people from 12 to 16 years old. The placements last between three and 18 months, depending on individual needs. The home also caters for emergency admissions for children and young people from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds. It aims to create a caring, structured and stimulating environment that is responsive to the individual needs of children and young people. The home focuses on meeting the individual needs of young people within a positive group living experience.

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Brief description of the service

This is an inner city service. It is situated close to many recreational and leisure facilities, local youth clubs, libraries and various places of worship, all within a community of diverse cultures.

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Brief description of the service

At the time of the inspection, seven young people lived in the home. The inspector exchanged greetings with three of them and spoke in private with one young person. Their views contributed to the inspection.

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Summary

This was an interim unannounced inspection. Its main aim was to reassess the quality of the processes in place to safeguard and promote children's welfare in this home. The main inspection finding is that the home, working in partnership with the other agencies, continues to safeguard children exceptionally well. The overall quality rating is outstanding. This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection that was carried out in May 2009, no actions or recommendations were raised. The quality of the service was rated as outstanding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. The robust staff recruitment and vetting procedures ensure that only people suitable to work with children are employed to work in this home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The comprehensive policies, procedures, training opportunities, team meetings, supervision and effective leadership ensure that staff members receive clear guidance on how to support young people. This enables them to consistently follow good practice. It also secures consistency and stability in the home. In addition, through reviews and reflection, the home demonstrates a continuous striving to improve the service and to achieve outstanding outcomes for young people. The introduction of two qualified social pedagogues to the team widens the approaches used to reach young people and to support their personal growth. 4 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025695 The home is working exceptionally well with the other agencies involved in safeguarding young people, such as children's social services, health services and police. For example, community police safety officer recently came to talk with young people about staying safe. The

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

management has excellent links with the specialist team for children abused through sexual exploitation. This ensures that appropriate safeguarding strategies are implemented, reviewed and enhanced with the aim of further promoting the young people's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people feel safe. They benefit from experiencing a communal living in a positive light. They report having warm relationships amongst themselves and with staff members. They live in an atmosphere that is free from bullying or intimidation and where they feel valued. An appropriately trained staff member has a designated lead role in providing mediation services and a specialist individually tailored support when issues arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home's commitment to engaging young people in education and structured activities, constructively impacts on young people's life chances. Having positive experiences and succeeding in however small ways, has positive effect on how young people feel about themselves. The growing confidence enables young people to take more responsibilities for their behaviour. There are clear arrangements to ensure that young people are appropriately supported when they break the house rules or challenge the provision. The arrangements in place, effectively contribute to young people's learning to modify their destructive behaviour. The good record keeping supports this process and protects young people. The home consistently encourages young people to express their views and engage in a constructive debate. The management sensitively listens and swiftly deals with any complaints raised. Young people's privacy and confidentiality of their information is well protected. Young people report a very

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

high level of satisfaction with this service.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Young people live in an environment that provides them with physical and emotional safety. Staff members conduct and record regular health and safety checks. This ensures that the control measures that are in place, remain effective in minimizing risks and avoiding any possible safety hazards. Although staff members mentally carry out the risk assessments in relation to the premises, these risk assessments have not been recorded.

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Organisation

The organisation is not judged. 5 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025695

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Childrens Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider must comply with the given timescales.

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • record in writing any risk assessments carried out in relation to the home's premises and grounds (NMS 26.2). 6 of 6 Inspection Report: SC025695

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