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

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

At the full inspection, the home received a judgement of Good . At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The full inspection resulted in two recommendations. The home has addressed both of these effectively. There are no requirements and recommendations resulting from this inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Behaviour in the home remains good and there have been no incidents of restraint. Young people continue to remain settled in the home, there has been one reported incident of absconding from the home since March 2015. This helps to promote positive atmosphere where young people engage well with staff.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home has made significant progress in addressing the living environment. This includes new furniture and carpets and the living areas repainted. The home received a new piano following a recent charitable donation that allows staff and young people to enjoy music therapy sessions together. Young people now enjoy time in a refurbished internet/homework room.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Photos displayed of the recent home holiday and the Halloween house party help towards a genuine family feeling in the home and young people continue to respond well. One comments, ‘The home is really calm now, everyone likes the new stuff and no one has damaged anything.’ They are looking forward to contributing to the new memory board, planned for the first floor hallway.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Work on developing semi-independence skills has made similar progress. The Registered Manager has developed closer working relationships with the semi- independent provision owned by the home’s parent organisation. Managers consulted with young people in the drafting of a revised workbook, which now offers a clear accessible guide. Young people enjoyed these sessions and two recent planned moves on to semi-independence have been more effective.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people make progress in developing self-esteem. Recently, one resident demonstrated improved confidence by successfully giving a speech to a room of professionals about his experiences of the care system. The formal registration for the Registered Manager is completed. The home continues to benefit from her motivation and strong child centred principles. She has successfully accessed new services and initiatives for the home, recently securing funding of individual mentoring support for a further year. Young people engage well with her and she responds to complaints directly and swiftly.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Managers audit files on a regular basis to ensure case recording in the home remains of good quality and that young people are making progress.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff morale is high in the home. Well-planned recruitment has developed a young and vibrant team supported and motivated by effective supervision and good training provision.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is a strong safeguarding culture in the home and staff follow procedures effectively. When concerns arise concerning young people, the Registered Manager is quick to alert professionals and initiate an effective multi-agency response.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Feedback from professionals continues to remain positive. One comments, ‘I want to thank the staff team for their extreme hard work and dedication to the young people in your care.’ An independent reviewing officer recently commented that social workers are now ‘fighting to place young people in the home.’

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is a learning culture in the home promoting regular evaluation and review of practice. Managers support this by liaising with other homes within the organisation to share practice that works well. This helps to develop an understanding of behaviour and build positive relationships with young people.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people receive excellent key work and independent advocacy support. One young person recently supported by his advocate, challenged a decision to move from the home. He now remains settled in the home and is achieving well in mainstream education. Regular key work sessions support young people well and enable good links with partner agencies such as schools and therapeutic provisions.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

All of the young people in the home are from one placing local authority. This improves the consistency of multi-agency working and enables young people to access a full range of support services quickly.

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Information about this children's home

 The provider is a registered childcare charity and housing association that has a number of different services registered with Ofsted. This home provides care and accommodation for up to eight children and young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties .

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/12/2014 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Recent inspection history

02/12/2013 Interim Satisfactory Progress

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection 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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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