Children's Home run by Kattz (AH) Ltd in Enfield

This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was undertaken to check compliance with the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards following a complaint received on 14 July 2015. The complainant raises concerns about: staff conduct and communication; staffing levels; access to confidential information; the mix of young people; safeguarding children who go missing; access to policies and the latest Ofsted report; promoting education; and referring suspected criminal offences to the police. The home provides weekly summaries and regular updates on children to their parents where this is appropriate, for example if they go missing from the home. The Registered Manager acknowledges that on one occasion communication failed. However, an apology was made and this was put right by improved communication from then on, for example by text message, so the parent was kept informed of their

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This monitoring visit

child’s welfare. There is nothing to suggest that staff are not professional and polite in their communication with parents and others. Confidential information is not accessible to young people. The home stores information electronically and this system is password protected. This ensures that private information is secure. Young people would not have the opportunity to access any confidential information. Education is rightly considered a priority. Young people are encouraged to attend school, although some refuse to do so. Efforts were made to work with school staff, in particular with a teacher attending the home to encourage a young person’s attendance. However, this was also not successful. In such circumstances, alternative provision is considered, for example, education in the community. There is no evidence to suggest that staff do not promote young people’s education. The home has policies and procedures which are made available to staff to guide

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This monitoring visit

them in their work. These would be supplied on request to any other interested party. Similarly, the manager keeps a copy of the most recent Ofsted inspection report on the premises and makes this available to staff and any person requesting a copy to read. There are sufficient staff to meet agreed ratios taking into account the presence of the Registered Manager as part of these ratios. The home’s staff are supported by agency staff. Staffing ratios are high, with two adults to one young person. However, although staff are available, this is difficult to achieve in reality as one young person runs off from staff. While unaccompanied by staff and missing from the home, the risk of sexual exploitation or other abuse is high. However, staff shared concerns with the placing authority. A more appropriate secure setting was sought to protect the young person as had been intended at the time of their placement into this

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This monitoring visit

home. On one occasion, staff rightly noted and photographed suspected stolen property which had been brought into the home. However, they did not follow this up with a report to the police. Therefore, an opportunity was lost for the police to deal with potentially criminal activity. Regarding admissions, the Registered Manager is discerning and does not accept all referrals made to the home. Also, she has terminated placements when necessary to do so, for example, as a result of violent behaviour towards staff. However, the admission of one young person has had a detrimental effect on the longer term resident as they have experienced bullying and threatening behaviour, and a change in the home’s atmosphere. The home remains suitable for registration.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered persons meets the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

5 5 Engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met standard:

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Reg. Requirement Due date

In order to meet the engaging with the wider system to ensure children’s needs are met standard, the registered manager must, and must ensure that staff-

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(d) seek to maintain effective professional relationships with such organisations as the registered person considers appropriate, with specific reference to making sure the police are informed of any suspected criminal activity. 01/10/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendations:

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Recommendations

 Ensure the registered person accepts only placements for children where they are satisfied that the home can respond effectively to the child’s assessed needs as recorded in the child’s relevant plans and where they have fully considered the impact that the placement will have on the existing group of children. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 56, paragraph 11.4)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and progress made by the home since their last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection.

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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Information about this inspection

T: 0300 123 1231 Text phone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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