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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 1 SC033805

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London Borough of Barnet

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority-owned home provides care for up to six children. The home’s statement of purpose states that it is a home for children who have emotional and/ or mild learning difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been registered since 2009.

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This monitoring visit

This children’s home was judged inadequate at the full inspection on 6 November 2018.

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This monitoring visit

As a result, one compliance notice relating to regulation 12 was issued. Ofsted considers that the home has met this compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

Following this monitoring visit, no change is made to the full inspection judgement. This is primarily because, despite the compliance notice having been met, it has not been possible to fully assess whether the home has met one requirement and one recommendation made at the full inspection. Both are repeated following this visit.

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This monitoring visit

The young person who was the focus of concerns at the last inspection has now moved to another setting. The three young people currently living in the home are settled, and there are no further behaviour incidents to report. Staff reported that the home has used the outcome of the last inspection as a means of ‘taking stock and learning’. Social workers offered positive feedback. One referred to ‘significant progress’ achieved by their allocated young person. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 2 Response to compliance notice.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have acted to address the concerns about weapons possession outlined at the last inspection. Managers have introduced new guidance for staff including a flow chart, which gives step-by-step instructions for staff if an incident were to occur. Guidance now includes advice on key procedures such as conducting room searches and informing professionals such as youth offending workers.

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This monitoring visit

Risk assessments have improved. Procedures now ensure that these are regularly reviewed and incorporate the wishes and feelings of the young people.

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This monitoring visit

The home now benefits from a revised pre-admission assessment format. This assessment focuses on the possible impact of potential admissions on the young people already living in the home. It has not been possible to assess the impact of the new assessment tool, as there have been no admissions to the home since its implementation.

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This monitoring visit

Managers have audited all the case files. Each file now benefits from an individualised care plan. Staff are due to attend training on case recordings.

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This monitoring visit

Staff reported that behaviour management is more consistent. This is supported by strong management input and more frequent supervision. One staff member commented, ‘We are really pulling together to try and support young people.’ Staff reported that the team has been strengthened by the recruitment of a cook and the return from sickness of the deputy manager. The registered manager stated that the home has reduced its occupancy level to four young people, pending the resolution of disciplinary procedures against two staff members.

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This monitoring visit

Young people enjoy a broad range of activities. Staff have planned trips to the theatre, local restaurants and the cinema for the forthcoming holidays.

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This monitoring visit

The home environment has improved. The garden is now clear of all damaged items. The shower room has been repainted, and the bedroom locks have been repaired. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 3

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 06/11/2018 Full Inadequate 23/05/2017 Full Good 08/12/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness 07/06/2016 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 4

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe. In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure— that staff assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of harm to the child (Regulation 12(1)(2)(a)(i)). In particular, provide a written record to demonstrate that full consideration has been made regarding the impact of a new placement on the existing group of children. 11/2/2019

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Recommendations

 Staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record keeping and understand the importance of careful and clear recording. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4). In particular, staff should understand the need for the prompt recording of concerning incidents and discussions.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 5

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: London Borough of Barnet

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: The London Borough of Barnet, Building 4, North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South, London N11 1NP

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Inspector

Barnaby Dowell, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC033805 6 to 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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