Children's home run by Area Camden Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 1 Registered provider: Area Camden Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run home for up to five children and young people. The home provides care and accommodation for children and young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Inspection date: 5 March 2020

Date of last inspection: 30 October 2019

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Inspection date: 5 March 2020

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 2

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have positive experiences at the home and are making steady progress. They have good relationships with staff. In the main, young people lead healthy lives and they take their education seriously. They have fun and are developing practical life skills.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the last inspection, weaknesses were noted in the home’s leadership and management. Some of the shortfalls identified at the last inspection have been resolved, but others have not. The home remains without a registered manager.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last inspection highlighted weaknesses in some key records. These weaknesses were evident in young people’s care plans, risk assessments and their independent- living booklets. Managers have since streamlined a number of recording documents in an attempt to improve the quality of records. Information seen on risk assessments and care plans at this inspection shows improvement. However, care plans are not kept updated.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s missing-from-care protocols for some young people are unclear. For one young person, written guidance for staff regarding the action to take when she is missing from the home is confusing. This is not in the young person’s best interests. In order to keep young people safe, managers must ensure that guidance to staff is clear and accurate.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) is not conducive to an open, nurturing environment. CCTV use in communal areas is unwarranted, as the behaviour young people is good. The use of CCTV is not in line with recent Ofsted guidance about surveillance.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last inspection highlighted the need for the home’s statement of purpose to include the contact details of the provider. The document has since been amended. However, managers have failed to forward the amended document to Ofsted as required. Managers did so, on the day of the inspection, but only when this was brought to their attention. The children’s guide has also been amended.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, managers are able to demonstrate success in engaging young people in education. Young people now attend school or college regularly. This was not the case previously.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The last inspection raised concerns for staff’s use of high-visibility jackets while monitoring out in the community. Managers confirmed that they have now ceased this practice. Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 3 Staff regularly hold house meetings with young people. Records of these meetings are now clearer. They include the actions managers intend to take in response to young people’s requests. This was not the case at the last inspection.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Managers confirmed that auxiliary staff, in particular the home’s cleaners, now have an understanding of the home’s whistleblowing policies. This supports a whole-staff approach and understanding of how to keep young people safe. Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 5

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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 leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff’s recording of information is of a high standard. This relates to care plans and missing-from-care protocols. 15/06/2020

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Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

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Requirement Due date

the child’s placing authority consents in writing to the monitoring or surveillance;

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Requirement Due date

so far as reasonably practicable in the light of the child’s age and understanding, the child is informed in advance of the intention to do the monitoring or surveillance; and

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Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)) 15/06/2020 Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 6 The registered person must—

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Requirement Due date

keep the statement of purpose under review and, where appropriate, revise it; and

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Requirement Due date

notify HMCI of any revisions and send HMCI a copy of the revised statement within 28 days of the revision.

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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

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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: 2506101 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Area Camden Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 1 Turnpike Lane, London N8 0EP

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nuala Harrington

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Inspector

Sandra Jacobs-Walls, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2506101 8 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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