Children's home run by London Borough of Barnet

Inspection report children’s home: SC034134 1 SC034134 Registered provider: London Borough of Barnet Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides care and accommodation for up to six children. The home’s statement of purpose states that it is a home for children who have emotional and behavioural difficulties. It also states that the home specialises in caring for young people who have suffered some sort of trauma in their early years, such as sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect.

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Date of last inspection: 6 December 2018

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Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged requires improvement to be good at the last full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Leaders and managers have addressed all the requirements made at the last inspection. A post Ofsted inspection action plan provides a detailed overview of the home’s targets and areas for further improvement.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, leaders and managers have developed the service further. Monthly visits from a clinical practitioner and practice development officer have been introduced. These visits provide staff with opportunities to reflect and develop their childcare practice alongside additional training opportunities. Inspection report children’s home: SC034134 2 One young person is preparing to move on to semi-independent living accommodation. Staff have worked closely with the placing authority to help ensure that this young person will experience an assessment period in a ‘training’ flat before moving on to his own accommodation.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people in the home are making progress from their starting points. Young people are engaging with their drug and alcohol support services along with therapeutic interventions. Progress includes a reduction in missing from care episodes, better emotional health and improved personal hygiene.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

All of the young people are engaged in education, apprenticeships or work placements. Staff said that the young people are now more settled and appear happier. Young people said that they feel safe and have good relationships with staff.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, safeguarding arrangements for young people in the home have been reviewed. The home’s substance misuse policy has been revised and staff guidance and boundaries are clear. Substance misuse in the home has decreased.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people benefit from an improved home environment. The home’s maintenance engineer has addressed the shortfalls identified during a recent internal health and safety audit. The home is continuing with its ongoing maintenance and repair programme.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There is a good quality assurance system in place, including constructive, independent monthly monitoring. The registered manager has enabled the young people to create their own feedback questionnaire. The young people’s monthly feedback is addressed with them individually and discussed during staff team meetings.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/12/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 16/10/2017 Full Good 17/01/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/09/2016 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: SC034134 3

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Recommendations

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9) In particular, the registered manager must ensure that the home continues with its planned building maintenance programme.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the differences made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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 whom it is trying to help, protect and look after.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’. Inspection report children’s home: SC034134 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: The London Borough of Barnet

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Victoria Jones, social care inspector Inspection report children’s home: SC034134 5 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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