Children's home in Camden

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has sustained effectiveness . At the full inspection one recommendation was made. This related to ensuring that the external monitoring of the home was sufficiently evaluative about the home’s ability to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This has been appropriately considered and promptly taken forward. Since the full inspection there has been an internal review of the ongoing viability of the children’s home. Numbers of children attending are not increasing, costs are very high, and limitations of space mean that the home can only take younger children. Most children who have short breaks in the home have life-limiting conditions, may be dependent on oxygen, and are generally in fragile health. These children require high levels of skilled staff to meet their needs. Following consultation with families and staff and discussion with commissioning local

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

authorities, the decision has been taken to close the home at the end of March 2017. Local authorities are currently reassessing the needs of all children attending, and children’s home staff are willing and able to be involved in any transition work from one placement to another. Managers at the home have written a thorough closure plan, which is being effectively monitored by the registered manager. She has researched good practice in closing homes and has incorporated this learning into the plan. This demonstrates her ongoing commitment to offering high-quality care. All children’s files have been internally reviewed, and children’s placement plans have been comprehensively updated with their needs and preferences. There are sound plans for appropriate archiving of electronic and paper records. The attached special school has good proposals to make effective use of the children’s home premises. The staff team is strongly committed to continuing to offer the highest quality of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

care until the home closes. This is demonstrated by all members of the team planning to stay in post until the end of the last day. Staff and managers have taken advice from appropriate therapists about preparing the children for this ending, and about giving the children items to help them remember their experiences. These plans have been sensitively drawn up, and have begun to be carefully delivered in practice. In the meantime, staff’s exceptional knowledge and understanding of each child’s unique and complex needs mean that children are continuing to have their physical and emotional requirements very well met in a safe and comfortable environment. For example, some children help to bake cookies to take home or decorate small pots as gifts. All enjoy being read or sung to as they relax out of their wheelchairs on soft cushions. There have been no significant incidents since the full inspection, and no use of

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

sanctions or restraint. There have been no missing-from-home incidents, although staff remain vigilant about the risks of safeguarding issues and take sound actions if they have concerns. This ensures that children remain safe living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a national charity, and provides short breaks and sleepover services for up to 12 children under the age of 14. Children may have a visual impairment and additional profound and complex physical and/or learning disabilities and/or sensory needs. The home is located within a non-maintained special school. It is open from Monday to Thursday in term time and throughout school holidays. The service is accessible to additional children, not just those attending this school.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

07/03/2016 Interim Improved 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 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 that 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 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 whom 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. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the

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Information about this inspection

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 0300 123 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, work- based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for children looked after 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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