Children's home run by Area Camden Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 1251364 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 six children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2023.

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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: 1 December 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: 1251364 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

01/12/2022 Full Good 09/06/2021 Full Good 24/02/2020 Full Good 18/12/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 1251364 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff build trusting relationships with the children and invest time in them to understand and support their needs. Children make progress from their starting points. They are receiving education, developing self-care skills and working towards independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Most children have been living at the home for long periods of time, which gives them stability and a sense of belonging. The children maintain their personal space, keeping it clean and tidy. The home has photos of the children on display and it feels like a comfortable place to live.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The children are supported to make healthy lifestyle choices. They are encouraged to undertake a range of activities, including swimming and walking, as well as being offered healthy food options, which include home-cooked nutritious meals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The quality of relationships between staff, professionals, children and their families is a strength. Staff support children to spend quality time with their families and encourage children to maintain positive relationships with their social worker.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Complaints from children are responded to appropriately and resolved without the need for formal investigations. Children are encouraged to share their views and are given information to access advocacy support to further empower them and help them to understand their rights.

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

Managers and staff respond quickly and appropriately to safeguarding incidents and concerns. They ensure that incidents are reported to the appropriate services and work closely with the professional network around each child. Furthermore, they ensure that children receive medical attention when required.

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

Individual risk assessments for all children are up to date and include clear strategies to protect the children and reduce risks. Staff understand individual children’s triggers and effective de-escalation techniques are used to manage challenging behaviour. Room searches are conducted respectfully when necessary to protect children. Staff support children to understand the potential consequences of risky behaviour.

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

Staff understand children’s vulnerabilities and work carefully to protect them from those who seek to exploit them. Positive relationships with the children contribute to the effective management of their behaviours. Regular key-work sessions and daily conversations help children to understand risk and keep themselves safe. Inspection report for children's home: 1251364 4 Staff do not use police to manage behaviour, in a way that could criminalise children and any discriminatory behaviours are challenged. Children are helped and supported to treat others with respect. Staff work well with the local police and use their support to help children to understand the impact and consequences of prejudiced behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership at the home is strong and stable. There is a solid foundation which the manager is further strengthening by beginning to implement research-based practice. Staff are supported to understand the effects of trauma and how to support children with such experiences.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are ambitious for the children and have high expectations of them. They are persistent in promoting education and children are supported to understand its value and the impact it will have on their personal growth and development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager recognises that the medication procedures need to be strengthened and that staff must follow the right procedures when administering medication to children. On one occasion, there was a discrepancy in a child’s medication, when tablets were unaccounted for. Despite this shortfall, the child received immediate medical attention and did not come to any harm. The manager is taking appropriate action to provide support and training to staff on the handling, recording, safekeeping, safe administration and disposal of medicines.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision that focuses on their well-being, practice and children’s needs. Staff performance and practice are reviewed annually. This helps staff to continually improve their individual practice and focus on their professional development. Staff are encouraged to research good practice and share their learning with the team, which further enhances staff’s knowledge and skills and ability to support the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers work closely with other agencies and families. Feedback from placing social workers and parents is positive, further demonstrating that children receive consistent and high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home environment is maintained to a high standard and children are consulted about the development of the home environment. The home is a calm, nurturing and comfortable place to live and children are at ease and relaxed. Inspection report for children's home: 1251364 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff undertake medication refresher training to ensure that there are no medication errors. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 34, paragraph 7.12)

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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: 1251364 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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Inspectors

Amena Begum, Social Care Inspector Christine Kennet, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1251364 7 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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