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

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A judgement of Good occurred at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judge that it has Sustained effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

One recommendation resulted from the full inspection; the home has successfully addressed this. The home retains a fierce desire to improve the services it offers. Young people now enjoy access to a more structured, incentivised programme to develop skills for independence. Allocated social workers and young people have assisted in the formulation of this programme. The plan helps to develop basic cookery and budgeting skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This inspection outlines one requirement. At present, the independent visitor does not have access to the council’s computer information system (ICS). This precludes full exploration of casework and limits their capacity to support the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home remains settled with no departures of staff or young people since the full inspection. This helps to promote positive and consistent relationships where young people make good progress. Key work sessions are regular and valued by young people. One comments, ‘The staff are really good to me here, they are always looking out for me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff morale remains high in the home. They benefit from an extensive and thorough training programme, which recently included topics such as the radicalisation of young people. One comments, ‘Training really opens up your eyes and shows how your own experiences can affect how you interact with young people.’ Consequently, staff develop their understanding of young people’s behaviour.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Effective multi-agency working remains prioritised within the home. Staff make good use of the ICS system to exchange information. Professionals state that reports are comprehensive and issues of delay promptly addressed. This improves care-planning decisions and outcomes for young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers offer good control of planned and emergency admissions. Information gained from ICS permits comprehensive pre-arrival risk assessments. This helps to maintain the stability of the home and ensure young people receive good early specialist support.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Safeguarding remains a priority within the home. Positive relationships with police and youth offending services permit managers access to risk assessments and information relating to individuals of concern. This helps to ensure full protection for young people and information for staff.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people reduce risk-taking behaviour in the home. Good access to specialist therapeutic support services helps to reduce incidents of alcohol misuse and self- harming and keep young people safe.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff work well with birth parents, this helps to support contact and minimise incidents of missing from the home. When young people do go missing, managers ensure that police welfare checks and regular independent return to care interviews support young people.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Manager’s 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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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Participation for young people remains good. They comment on behavioural support plans and have access to advocacy. This allows staff a unique insight into any triggers or antecedents to behavioural outbursts and improves behaviour in the home.

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Information about this children's home

 This is a local authority run children’s home. Registration is for up to six young people with emotional/behavioural issues.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

16/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Requirement Due date

(2) When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person-

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Requirement Due date

(b) to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home's records (except for a child’s case records unless the child and the child's placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. (Regulation 44(2)(b)) 22/03/2016

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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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