The Banyan Tree

Unique reference number SC396186 Inspection date 24/01/2013 Inspector Katarina Djordjevic Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 18/10/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

The home is a privately run and provides care for four young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and learning disabilities.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in October 2012 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as outstanding; no requirements were made. The home has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection. This inspection has identified shortfalls in the recording of restraints and the monthly visits carried out by the independent person. However, the commitment of staff to continually making improvements to the quality of care and support for children and young people is clearly evident.

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Progress

Children and young people continue to receive a very good level of individualised care and support which take into account their age, gender, levels of abilities, communication needs, race, religion, culture and previous experiences. As a result, they are making good progress in most areas. They are becoming more emotionally resilient and their self-confidence has improved.

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Progress

Staff ensure that any new developments introduced are accessible to all children and young people. For example, a learning package recently commissioned by the home has also been produced in an alternative communication form. This tool will help to improve children and young people’s behaviour, independence skills and knowledge in preparation for their next stages of life.

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Progress

Children and young people are happy and feel safe living at the home. They are leaning how to keep themselves and others safe; all behaviours which potentially place them at risk are discussed with them. Children and young people have excellent relationships with staff which enables children and young people to raise any concerns or worries they may have. This helps to protect them from the risk of harm.

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Progress

The management of behaviour is good with the emphasis on recognising and rewarding positive behaviour. Children and young people are making good progress in changing their socially unacceptable behaviours given their starting points. This is because they quickly establish trusting relationships with staff; and they are very clear about the boundaries from the start. Staff fully understand the needs and trigger points for children and young people. This ensures they provide individualised care and nurturing support during difficult times and at times when children and young people’s emotions are running particularly high. For example, at Christmas time. The numbers of incidents running up to the Christmas period increased and restraint was used more often than usual. Restraint used was appropriate. However, records of restraint is some instances lacked detail of how and when staff were involved during the restraint. Also, the duration of the restraint was not always

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Progress

recorded. This has the potential to make it difficult to accurately assess what actually happened and if behaviour is being managed appropriately.

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Progress

Since the last inspection, in consultation with the psychotherapist who visits the home on a monthly basis, a new behaviour management form ‘understanding events’, has been introduced. This gives children and young people the opportunity to discuss and record their thoughts and feelings about the incident. This is a useful tool for children, young people and staff to try and understand what and why incidents happened. Furthermore, it helps children and young people learn and change their behaviours.

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Progress

Children and young people also receive services from other agencies where appropriate which helps to improve their behaviour and emotional well-being. For example, from the child and adolescent mental health services.

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Progress

Most children and young people’s attendance at school is excellent. This helps them to make good progress in achieving their full academic potential. Staff provide excellent practical and emotional support. Children and young people have access to a range of materials within the home which helps promote their learning while at the same time having fun. Staff are strong advocates and continue to work collaboratively with schools and other agencies to ensure children and young people have the best opportunities to learn and develop both academically and socially. This is particularly evident where some children and young people are struggling to engage at school and retain their placements.

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Progress

Empowerment of children and young people remains central to the ethos and practice in the home. Systems within the home ensure children and young people’s views are taken into account and acted upon where appropriate. This helps them feel listened to and valued. Children and young people also become more confident which helps them prepare for adulthood.

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Progress

Staff are totally committed to providing new activities and experience for all children and young people. Consequently, leisure activities continue to be based on individual interests and needs which children and young people really enjoy and appreciate. They are supported to join local clubs which helps them make friends and contribute to the wider community. Individualised activities within the home are also arranged which they enjoy. For example, each child and young person has weekly sessions with an art therapist at the home. The commitment of the staff team is further evident by their researching different opportunities for children and young people. For example, if children and young people do not like an activity or no longer wish to engage in that activity as they feel they are ‘too old’, alternative activities are provided based on current needs and likes.

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Progress

Monthly visits by an independent person have been undertaken and reports sent to Ofsted as required. However, since the last full inspection none of the visits have taken place when children and young people have been at home. There is no evidence to support that alternative methods have been made to try and contact children and young people. Therefore, children and young people’s views have not been taken into account about the care they receive and the running of the home. Furthermore, it is unclear if records of complaints are always reviewed.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

17B (2001) ensure that within 24 hours of the use of any measure of restraint, a written record is made which shall include a description of the measure used and the duration of the measure of restraint. With specific reference to ensuring records of restraint give clear details of the actual restraint used and who is involved in the actual restraint (Regulation 17B (3) (c) (e) (4) (a)) 22/02/2013

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) shall interview with their consent and in private, such of the children accommodated there, in order to form an opinion of the standard of care provided in the home; and inspect records of any complaints. (Regulation 33 (4) (a) (b)) 22/02/2013

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Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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