Children's home run by Area Camden Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 1 Registered provider: Area Camden Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to four children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in February 2018. There has been no registered manager since 29 September 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were 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

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/04/2024 Full Good 02/08/2023 Full Outstanding 15/02/2023 Full Good 02/03/2022 Full Outstanding Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders, managers and staff show care and kindness towards children, and they understand their needs well. This helps children to build positive relationships with staff and feel comfortable in their home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Leaders, managers and staff actively support and encourage children to engage in education. Staff work closely with virtual schools and colleges to support children, and their efforts have a positive impact. One child who left the home last year is now completing their A levels in subjects they have chosen to support their future career. This positive progress is a result of the staff’s guidance and help.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s health needs. They give advice and support about personal hygiene, healthy relationships and sexual health. This increases children’s knowledge and helps them to reflect on their lifestyle choices. As a result, one child took steps to protect themselves by attending appointments independently.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff help children to make good progress in developing their independence skills. They support children to learn and develop their practical skills in budgeting, shopping, cooking and other everyday tasks. This helps children gain the confidence and skills to take care of themselves and get ready for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are given opportunities to talk to staff and share their views, wishes and feelings. In house meetings, they chat about things that matter to them, including the home, food and activities they would like to do. Staff also make sure to have one-to-one conversations with children.

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

Leaders, managers and staff have high aspirations for the children in their care. They work hard to understand each child’s needs, risks and vulnerabilities. They regularly review children’s risk assessments to identify triggers and put in clear plans to reduce and manage risks. When children’s risks remain high or increase, the managers work closely with children’s professional networks to protect children and promote their safety and well-being. This includes attending strategy meetings with the police to identify anyone who may be causing harm or a risk to children. This has helped to protect children.

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

When children go missing from home, staff act quickly. They keep in touch with children, inform family members and safeguarding agencies, and work together to safely return them home. Once a child returns, staff are welcoming and check on their well-being. They show professional curiosity by asking gentle questions about where they have been and how they are feeling. Although children do not always share information, this gives staff the opportunity to explore the reasons behind missing-from-home episodes. Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 4 However, independent return home interviews are not always requested, which is a missed opportunity to understand children’s experiences and uncover any underlying reasons for going missing from home.

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

Staff respond to incidents calmly and consistently, using each child’s behaviour management plan to guide their actions. Most incidents are managed effectively, with staff offering emotional support and medical attention when needed. On some occasions, police support has been required to keep everyone safe, and one placement ended unexpectedly in a negative way because of this. Leaders and managers review serious incidents with staff, learn from them and put steps in place to prevent similar situations happening in the future.

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

Following serious incidents, key-work sessions are held to give children the opportunity to talk about their feelings and ensure that they feel supported. Staff regularly speak to children about their lifestyle choices, behaviours and things that present risks to them. This gives children the chance to reflect and work with staff to take positive actions to keep themselves safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leadership and management of the home are good. The previous registered manager had managed the home effectively until she left the role very recently. The deputy manager and senior leadership team support the management of the home. They understand the children’s needs and are passionate about their progress and care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff regularly come together in team meetings to reflect on their practice. The meetings are purposeful and well attended, and they provide an opportunity for staff to discuss children’s progress and safeguarding concerns. Leaders and managers are mindful of the emotional impact of their roles and give reassurances to their staff. This reinforces staff’s motivation and commitment to delivering high-quality care to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers treat all allegations of harm seriously. They share information promptly with appropriate safeguarding agencies, ensuring that concerns are addressed without delay. Leaders and managers also ensure that Ofsted is notified of any significant events as required.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular and well-structured supervision. Supervision sessions are child centred and focus on children’s progress, risks and needs as well as their professional practice. This enables managers to maintain oversight practice and helps create an environment where positive practice is recognised and strengthened.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff complete their mandatory training during their induction, which helps them understand and meet the needs of the children in their care. In addition, they receive specialist training in topics such as mental health awareness and suicide prevention. These trainings have had a clear impact on the quality of care that children receive. For example, staff are alert to signs of suicide risk and respond quickly when concerns arise, Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 5 helping to keep children safe. Leaders and managers regularly review staff training needs and ensure that staff continue to learn and stay up to date with best practices. Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 6

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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, The 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 registered provider must appoint a person to manage the children’s home if—

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Requirement Due date

there is no registered manager in respect of the home.

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Requirement Due date

If the registered provider appoints a person to manage the home, the registered provider must, without delay, give HMCI notice of—

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Requirement Due date

the name of the person so appointed; and

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Requirement Due date

the date on which the appointment takes effect. (Regulation 27 (1)(a) (2)(a)(b)) 19 December2025

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that when a child returns to the home after being missing or away from home without permission, the responsible local authority provides an opportunity for the child to have an independent return home interview. The registered person should take account of information provided by such interviews when assessing risks and putting arrangements in place to protect each child. This recommendation has been reinstated. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 45, paragraph 9.30)

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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: 1272461 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: Polaris, Malvern View, Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire B60 4AD

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Inspector

Amena Begum, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 1272461 8 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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