Children's Home run by London Borough of Barnet in Barnet

Unique reference number SC033805 Inspector Seka Graovac Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person London Borough of Barnet Registered person address The London Borough of Barnet, Building 4 North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South LONDON N11 1NP Responsible individual Debbie Gabriel Registered manager Jane Anne Keep Date of last inspection 14/07/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 16/02/2015

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Previous inspection good Enforcement action since last inspection none

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This inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has sustained effectiveness .

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This inspection

The quality and effectiveness of the safeguarding practice was the main focus of this visit. There were three main reasons for that: the significant incident that the home notified Ofsted of, the concerns that a stakeholder raised directly with Ofsted and the recommendation around bullying that was given at the last inspection.

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This inspection

The safeguarding practice in the home was judged to have remained good. Young people told the inspector that they felt safe in the home and that they knew how to protect themselves when outside. They were very positive about the quality of care and support that they receive from staff. Those young people who have been living in the home for a while have formed a strong positive bond with the members of staff. They are able to confide in staff and ask for additional help, when they need it.

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This inspection

The relationships between the young people themselves are mainly positive. Any incidents of bullying or intimidation amongst the young people are managed sensitively and effectively. All staff have either completed or are near completion of a six-module on-line training on bullying. The training has initiated many team- discussions on this subject. It has brought a deeper understanding of the dynamics that underpin bullying and the negative circle of influence within the relationships, to the staff team.

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This inspection

All staff have also had training in safeguarding and child protection, including on-line training on child sexual exploitation. The team remains highly knowledgeable, experienced, cohesive and consistent. They follow good practice guidance at all times. Within a nurturing atmosphere that they have created in the home, they keep firm and clear boundaries with young people.

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This inspection

The home has had a positive impact on the behaviour of young people and many other outcomes. The young people have become much better at managing their 3 of 5 anger and improving their social skills and positive engagement. Taking into account their starting points, they have made good progress across different aspects of their welfare and development.

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This inspection

All young people have an educational provision that is individually tailored and promotes their learning attainments. Staff consistently encourage them to attend education and engage in learning.

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This inspection

Young people receive suitable health advice and support to maintain their good health. Those young people who have come to the home with unhealthy habits, such as smoking or taking drugs receive information that raises their awareness of the risks that they are exposing themselves to. Staff encourage and support them to stop those habits and instead, to take regular exercise and develop healthier life- styles. Young people report that the food in the home is healthy and delicious.

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This inspection

Good communication and effective partnership working with other professionals, such as from education, health, social care and the police remains a particular strength of this service. The location risk assessment that the Registered Manager completed has been sent to the Local Safeguarding Children Board for consultation. The management meets regularly with the police officer who is designated to lead on the missing young people in the area. The strategies to safeguard young people who place themselves at risk are also discussed at the council's multi-agency high risk panel and also, the panel that considers child sexual exploitation in the area. The comprehensive, well-targeted and balanced individual risk assessments and risk management plans underpin good safeguarding practice in the home. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This is a local authority's children's home. The home is registered to accommodate and support up to six children and young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/07/2014 Full good 23/01/2014 Interim good progress 29/07/2013 Full good 13/02/2013 Interim good progress Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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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What inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspections we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children’s homes: framework for inspection.

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Information 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 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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Information about this inspection

The report details the main strengths, any areas for improvement, including any breaches of regulation, and any failure to meet national minimum standards. The judgements included in the report are made against the framework of inspection for children's homes.

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