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

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

This home was judged outstanding at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

No requirements or recommendations resulted from the full inspection of the home. There are no requirements or recommendations resulting from this inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The home continues to benefit from a long-standing permanent staff team, which is led by a strong, stable management group. No staff have left since the last full inspection, young people benefit from the resulting stability and consistency. Staff morale remains high and the team continues to seek new means of developing the service. There is a constant desire to ‘push on and expand’.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

A strong learning culture exists within the home. Staff benefit from high levels of training and input from the host local authority. Managers now maintain a folder of good practice, which celebrates the achievements of both staff and young people. Staff undertake presentations regarding aspects of theory linked to young people’s behaviour. This allows time for reflection and greater insight into the needs of young people and the reasons behind their behaviour. Information is shared within staff meetings and is the subject of good levels of debate and discussion. There is a strong focus on building young people’s inner strengths or ‘resilience’. Staff focus on encouraging the development of confidence in young people to allow them to seek out positive role models and peer group influences. This encourages young people to safeguard themselves and make good choices.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Outcomes remain positive. Young people continue to be happy, make progress and develop new skills. Behaviour remains good in the home, with no use of restraint. Young people value the inventive help and support of staff and the family environment created within the home. Feedback from placing social workers recognises this progress. One social worker comments, ‘He is now learning to find his voice.’ Three young people have successfully moved on to semi-independence since the last inspection. Staff continue to provide outreach sessions, which offer ongoing support and guidance.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Staff are proactive and advocate strongly for young people. Staff recently assisted a young person to access extra funding for specific legal advice regarding the prospect of discharging himself from care. This allowed him to make an informed choice regarding his future rights and responsibilities of the local authority. Staff remain aspirational on behalf of young people. Case records show staff seeking specialist assessments, such as pursuing extra support in education. This results in greater academic attainment.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Case recordings and risk assessments remain of a high standard. They show strong evidence of management oversight. This results in well-timed and informed care planning decisions. Behavioural management plans are reviewed regularly to assess their impact and effectiveness. Staff pursue regular reviews of prescribed medications to ensure dosages remain suitable. One young person who recently commenced taking medication for the first time is now able to self-regulate himself. This leads to improved behaviours and greater stability in the home.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Safeguarding and multi-agency practice remain strong. Staff regularly seek the advice and guidance of the Multi Agency Sexual Exploitation Panel. This offers a wide range of input from professionals on possible risks of child sexual exploitation in the local area. Staff use good relationships with local police to receive updates on anyone of risk in the local area who is coming into contact with young people. Once this is ascertained, statutory orders are sought which restrict contact and keep young people safe.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

There is an excellent response when young people go missing. Staff keep good records of what young people are wearing on leaving the home. Staff regularly track movements by registered oyster cards and share information with social workers instantly via the council’s computer information system. Staff use social media well. The home has a Facebook account, which allows staff to communicate directly with friends and relatives to trace young people when they go missing.

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Information about this children's home

This is a local authority managed children’s home. Registration is for up to six young people with emotional and/or behavioural issues.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 07/06/2016 Full Outstanding 22/02/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 23/11/2015 Full Good 16/02/2015 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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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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