Children's home run by London Borough of Barnet

Inspection report for children's home: 2677723 1 Registered provider: London Borough of Barnet Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This local authority home provides therapeutic residential care for up to six children between the ages of 11 and 16 years.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager registered with Ofsted in June 2022. The manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were five children living in 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: 25 January 2023

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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: 2677723 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

25/01/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2677723 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive thoughtfully planned, individualised support and care at this home. They benefit from the integrated therapeutic model of care provided by two in- house therapists. The clinical team provides individual sessions to children as well as helping to formulate a trauma-informed care plan for staff to implement. A consistent response from the staff team is helping children to make substantial progress from their respective starting points.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is in a purpose-built building that feels comfortable and homely. It is well maintained and well resourced, with extensive entertainment technology, a gym, a library and large outside areas.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children like living in the home. Some of the children told the inspector that staff care about them and involve them in decisions about their day-to-day care. Members of staff were observed laughing with the children and, when needed, providing emotional support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children engage in a wide range of fun and unique activities, for example, yoga or going to see their favourite singer in concert. Children told the inspector that if they ask to do something new the home usually arranges this for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family members and professionals say they receive effective communication from the staff. Several said the whole staff team understands each individual child’s needs and provides them with a high standard of care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend support sessions with the substance misuse service, whose staff said the home shares information well and helps them to build a relationship with the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

All children have a full-time education placement. When children struggle to access a full curriculum due to their complex needs, the staff are creative and take the initiative in helping build children’s confidence to re-engage with education. Children who have been out of education for a period have started to attend school again.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well prepared for independence, with practical skills and emotional support. Staff recognise their role in helping children to stay in touch with their families.

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

Children’s risk assessments are specific and relevant to them, and include clear guidance to staff about how to keep children safe. This includes practical measures for dealing with traumatised children who may self-harm. Key-work sessions focus on areas of need specific to children and help them learn to keep themselves safe. Inspection report for children's home: 2677723 4 Managers thoroughly assess the needs of new children coming into the home and any impact this change may have on children already in the home.

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

Since the last inspection, there have been incidents of bullying and physical aggression between children. Staff have worked hard to manage these situations to ensure that there are effective action plans in place that help to protect children. This approach has resulted in a marked reduction in the number of incidents.

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

Episodes of children going missing from the home have significantly reduced. When children do go missing, staff follow set protocols to ensure that children return home safely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are aspirational for the children. They are enthusiastic about helping children to overcome trauma and to learn life skills. Staff have a clear shared vision for each child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff respect and value the registered manager. Staff supervision records and team meetings demonstrate in-depth discussions about the children, including reflection and clear direction.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. Training is effective, with a focus on ensuring that staff can meet the needs of the children in their care. However, more specific training around areas of children’s complex needs requires further development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Although some of the children’s records are of high quality, this is not yet consistent across all records. Inspection report for children's home: 2677723 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have access to specialist training to help them provide additional support to children with complex needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2677723 6

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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: London Borough of Barnet, 2 Bristol Avenue, Colindale NW9 4EW

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Nichola Gallagher

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Inspector

Claire Beckingham, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2677723 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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