Children's home run by Area Camden Limited

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

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Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in March 2019. The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2020 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were five children living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 16 February 2022

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/02/2022 Full Good 05/03/2020 Interim Sustained effectiveness 30/10/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2506101 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress living in this home. For example, one child’s school attendance has increased 25% since their starting point. Staff encourage and support children to have ambitions and future goals. One child that did not have any aspirations when they moved into the home would now like to find employment and join the Royal Navy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children form positive relationships with staff. One child said, ‘I do not know where I would be if I was not in this home. Staff have believed in me and given me hope.’ Another child said, ‘I can talk to staff about my worries and views without feeling judged.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children enjoy a range of activities in the home and the community. The children have also enjoyed a holiday abroad. One child said, ‘The food in the home is great, I like cooking meals with staff.’ The variety of activities provided to the children helps them to build their social skills, self-esteem and confidence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to complain. Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints from any child. The children feel valued because they are listened to.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home has skilled and experienced staff that use positive reinforcement techniques to support children. The staff are creative and have used reward incentives to reduce missing-from-home incidents and developed the children’s independence skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff know the children’s risks. Assessments and case records are kept up to date and regularly reviewed to reflect the child’s needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children now benefit from a stable staff team that ensures that they receive a consistent level of care.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The staff have a clear understanding and knowledge of the safeguarding and whistle-blowing guidance. The children understand what abuse is from focused discussions and house meetings. They say that they feel supported to live healthy lifestyles and form healthy relationships. The children described staff as caring and supportive. Staff said, ‘The children are at the heart and centre of everything they do.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There are a high number of missing-from-home incidents. However, a majority of these are in relation to a child coming home late. The manager has assessed the risk and spoken with the child’s professional network to extend the child’s set time to return home. Overall, the number of missing-from-home incidents have reduced for Inspection report for children’s home: 2506101 4 some of the children. When children do go missing, staff work closely with the child’s professional network to ensure a coordinated response. Staff have regular discussions with children who go missing from the home about the risks and dangers involved.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Care planning for children coming to and leaving the home is well managed. Before children move into the home, they are introduced to staff and can visit the home. Children leaving the home have targeted discussions with staff about the areas they need to continue to develop, which makes the move more successful. When children are not happy with their future plans, the manager and staff support children and young people to have an advocate.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff regularly consult with the children. Children contribute to their care planning, which makes it more meaningful for them. For example, children write their own profile on their home plan. Children’s views about food shopping and home activities are obtained in house meetings.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Rooms searches are proportionate and justified. However, sometimes, the procedures are inconsistent. For example, the children are not always present during the search.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff induction programme is comprehensive. Supervision is held regularly and is well recorded. The induction and supervision of staff ensure that they are supported to develop their practice and understand their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have high aspirations and expectations for the service and the children. There is evidence of some creative practice and a culture of positive care towards the children. The leaders and managers have plans for the development of the service in the coming year. They have started this work with staff through training and consultation with professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment practices have improved. These ensure that all staff are suitable to work with children. For example, gaps in employment history are explored and the reasons for staff leaving employment are followed up.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children’s case records are detailed and contain relevant plans. The manager requests that placing authorities review children’s plans and provide the most up-to- date plans for children. The manager and staff have effective working relationships with the police, social workers and schools. Collaborative working helps to ensure that children are afforded the best possible care experiences and futures.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel supported by their manager. One member of staff said, ‘I am confident to go to my manager with any issue that I am experiencing or that I do not understand. The company is good and provides adequate training for their staff.’ Inspection report for children’s home: 2506101 5

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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 for children’s home: 2506101 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Area Camden Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove B60 4AD

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Monet St. Rose-Johnson

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Inspector

Melvin Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2506101 7 inspects 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. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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

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Inspector

www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Inspector

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Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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