Setting

Ms Ann Baxter Director of Children, Schools and Families And Chair of Local Safeguarding Children Board London Borough of Camden 281 Crowndale Centre Eversholt Street London NW1 1BD

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

This letter contains the findings of the recent unannounced inspection of contact, referral and assessment arrangements within local authority children’s services in the London Borough of Camden which was conducted on 29 and 30 September 2009. The inspection was carried out under section 138 of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. It will contribute to Ofsted’s annual review of the performance of the authority’s children’s services, for which Ofsted will award a rating later in the year.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

The inspection identified one area for priority action and two areas for development, which are detailed below.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

The inspection sampled the quality and effectiveness of contact, referral and assessment arrangements and their impact on minimising the incidence of child abuse and neglect. Inspectors considered a range of evidence, including: electronic case records; supervision files and notes; observation of social workers and senior practitioners undertaking referral and assessment duties; and other information provided by staff and managers. Inspectors also spoke to a range of staff including managers, social workers, other practitioners and administrative staff. I am grateful to you and your staff for your help and the time given during this inspection.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

From the evidence gathered, the inspection identified a number of areas where the contact, referral and assessment arrangements were delivered satisfactorily in accordance with national guidance, in particular:

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Children and young people are involved appropriately in assessments and their views are taken into account when making plans for their future.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Decisions about incoming contacts and referrals are made in accordance with statutory timescales and are appropriate. Freshford House Redcliffe Way Bristol BS1 6NL T 08456 40 40 40 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk Direct T 0117 9456448 Direct F 0117 9456554 Lac.safeguarding@ofsted.gov.uk ƒ The referral and assessment service is sufficiently resourced to meet incoming demand and social work caseloads are manageable.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Effective partnership working following referral and assessment ensures that families receive appropriate support when needed from a variety of services.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Senior managers effectively challenge casework and decision-making through a well established complex case planning forum.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Social workers have satisfactory access to training and supervision.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

ƒ Out of hours services are good and well coordinated with daytime services.

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assessment arrangements within London Borough of Camden

From the evidence gathered, the following strengths and areas for development were also identified:

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Strengths

ƒ Inter-agency thresholds are clear and effectively applied, ensuring vulnerable children are promptly identified and supported.

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Strengths

ƒ The Common Assessment Framework has been implemented systematically and is used well to ensure early intervention to support families.

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Strengths

ƒ Record keeping is up to date and clearly demonstrates management involvement in decision making.

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Strengths

ƒ Child protection enquiries are thorough and timely; appropriate action to ensure children’s safety is identified and implemented promptly.

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Strengths

ƒ Consideration of equality and diversity is strongly reflected in casework practice and planning. Effective specialist support services are provided to meet the needs of the diverse population.

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Strengths

ƒ Well established partnership working between statutory agencies and particularly good use of voluntary sector provision contribute very effectively to the safeguarding of children.

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Areas for development

ƒ Some initial assessments are signed off when incomplete. This is not in line with statutory guidance. ƒ The quality of assessments, and in particular the plans and recommendations to support vulnerable children, are too variable.

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Areas for development

This visit has identified the following area(s) for priority action.

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Area(s) for priority action

ƒ Interpreters used to support vulnerable children and their families are not always subject to criminal record checks to ensure that children are safe. On being notified of this fact, senior managers report that they took immediate action to review the arrangements and the council has subsequently assured Ofsted that monitoring systems are in place and that the proper procedures have been communicated to staff.

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Area(s) for priority action

The area for priority action identified above will be specifically considered in any future inspection of services to safeguard children within your area.

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Area(s) for priority action

Heather Brown Divisional Manager, Social Care Safeguarding

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Area(s) for priority action

Copy: Moira Gibb, Chief Executive, London Borough of Camden Janet Grauberg, Lead Member for Children’s Services, London Borough of Camden Andrew Spencer, Department for Children, Schools and Families

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