Children's home run by Area Camden Limited in Haringey

Unique reference number SC473639 Inspector Patrick Sullivan Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Registered person Area Camden Limited Registered person address 1 Turnpike Lane London N8 0EP

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Responsible individual Nuala Mary Harrington Registered manager Margaret Ann Harvey Date of last inspection 01/10/2014 2 of 5 Inspection date 04/03/2015

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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 improved effectiveness .

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This inspection

This home continues to provide a good service to vulnerable young people. The home is managed by a committed and enthusiastic Registered Manager who along with a dedicated staff team has created an environment where young people make progress and achieve good outcomes.

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This inspection

At the last inspection, one requirement was made around the completion of the quality of care reviews. This requirement has been met. One recommendation was made around the home having a development plan in place. This has also been met at this inspection.

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This inspection

Since the last inspection, the home has continued to develop. There has been a degree of movement within the staff team with a number of staff leaving and others joining. Recruitment processes continue to be robust with all relevant checks being undertaken prior to employment. References are verified and gaps in employment explored with the individual concerned as are any issues arising from the Disclosure and Barring Service check.

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This inspection

New staff feel welcomed into the home and comment that the induction process has met their needs. All new staff are enrolled onto the appropriate level 3 course to develop their knowledge and skills in working with young people. Supervision of staff is regular and of good quality; time is included for reflection and individual development.

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This inspection

Staff in the home have built positive relationships with the young people. Restraints are rare and when they do occur are recorded in line with regulations. No sanctions have been imposed since the last inspection. Safeguarding is strong within the home and staff undertake regular training to ensure they remain up to date with their skills. The home maintains positive relationships with other professionals including 3 of 5 the police and the local child and adolescent mental health team.

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This inspection

Some young people go missing but staff are very proactive in addressing this with the young person. Multi-agency working is a strength of this service and regular risk assessment meetings have been convened by the home to try and reduce the risks to some of the more vulnerable young people. Where risks continue to be high, the home is working with the placing authority to identify a more appropriate placement. For some young people who had high levels of going missing from previous placements there has been a dramatic reduction. A location risk assessment has yet to be completed.

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This inspection

Young people enjoy living at the home and state that 'it’s the best home they have stayed in' and 'staff treat you right'. Key work sessions and house meetings occur on a regular basis. Young people feel that they have a voice and are listened to by staff. Extra televisions have been installed in the communal areas as a result of representations from the young people.

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This inspection

Young people make progress in their education considering their starting points. For some, this involves tuition within the home, while for others it involves a reintegration into mainstream schooling. Where the level of home tuition is low, the home has been proactive in advocating for more hours.

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This inspection

Staff at the home work hard to ensure that young people leave the home in a positive way. Some young people who have moved on to semi-independent accommodation retain links with the home and are supported by staff. The staff and manager also work hard to ensure that young people are made to feel welcome when they first come to live in the home.

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This inspection

The home is well decorated and has a homely feel. Communal areas are bright and welcoming and are often the centre of the home where staff and young people congregate.

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This inspection

Parents are very positive about the service and describe it as being 'absolutely fabulous! Staff are fantastic'. They are happy with the level of communication and think that their children are making good progress at the home.

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This inspection

Placing social workers are also very happy with the service the home provides. They praise the good communication between the home and themselves and can see the progress that the young people are making.

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This inspection

Management oversight of what goes on in the home is strong and staff feel supported by the Registered Manager. The home is adequately staffed with only rare use of agency staff, which provides stability for the young people. Currently the rota does not include a designated handover period although staff generally stay later to ensure a handover is undertaken. 4 of 5

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children's home. It provides care for up to six young people of either sex who may have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the home at least once in each calendar year. (Regulation 31(1A)(b)) 29/05/2015

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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Recommendations

 ensure that staff rotas have time scheduled to ensure handovers are held and that they include the planning and spending of time with individual children. (NMS 17.6) Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Recommendations

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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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