The Banyan Tree

Unique reference number SC396186 Inspection date 17/03/2014 Inspector Katarina Djordjevic Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 11/06/2013 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 good progress .

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Progress

At the last inspection in June 2013 the overall quality rating for the service was judged as adequate. Three requirements were made relating to notifying relevant persons of specific events; obtaining written consent from placing authorities regarding the use of bedroom door alarms and recording this in a child’s placement plan and ensuring there are detailed risk assessments for children in the event of them going missing. Eight recommendations were also made.

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Progress

Since the last inspection the Registered Manager has left and a number of staff have also left. It is testament to the new manager, the staff and the responsible individual that there is no evidence that these key staff changes have impacted negatively on children and young people living at the home. The new manager has submitted an application to register with Ofsted which is currently being processed.

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Progress

The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Children and young people’s safety and wellbeing have improved. This is because all the requirements and recommendations made at the last inspection have been addressed. This demonstrates the commitment and ability of the whole team to improve the quality of care and life opportunities for children and young people. This is further supported by the work the manager and the responsible individual have undertaken in preparation for the changes to the children’s home’s regulations.

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Progress

A new system has been implemented to ensure all events are notified to the relevant agencies as required. This was discussed at a staff meeting to ensure all staff are aware of their responsibilities in this area. This helps to further protect children and young people from the risk of harm and abuse.

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Progress

All children and young people now have individualised risk assessments in relation to them going missing. These are reviewed regularly and help to protect children and young people from the risk of harm. Therefore, this requirement has been addressed.

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Progress

The recommendation made to ensure that all allegations against staff who work at the home regardless of how insignificant they may appear, has been addressed. New management monitoring systems and a new system for recording safeguarding incidents have been introduced. As a result, the protection of children and young people from the risk of ham and abuse has improved.

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Progress

Two recommendations were made regarding recruitment practices at the last inspection. Recruitment practices have been reviewed and new systems introduced. These demonstrate that all relevant checks are undertaken as required and evidence of decision making about the suitability of staff recruited is kept on file. These improvements provide more robust safeguards for children and young people.

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Progress

A recommendation was made at the last inspection to ensure that children are given prompt feedback and kept informed of progress when they have raised concerns or made complaints. The manager has introduced new systems. Complaints forms include a section to record children and young people’s views about the outcome of the investigation. Staff are also required to leave a message for the manager in the staff communication book that a complaint form has been received. These new systems help to ensure complaints are responded to promptly and that there is a clear audit trail of actions taken. The manager has also introduced a ‘grumbles and complaints’ book which she checks daily. As a result of these improvements children and young people are better protected from the risk of harm and abuse; and they feel listened to and valued.

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Progress

Improvements have been made to the management and recording of children and young people’s behaviour. Individual behaviour support plans are now reviewed regularly and updated as required. This ensures staff are aware of, and are able to meet current needs. Children and young people are now routinely offered medical attention following the use of physical restraint. Management monitoring systems are more robust which helps to ensure plans are updated as required; and help to identify any trends or emerging issues. This also helps to monitor children and young people’s individual needs are being met; and that the management of their behaviour is appropriate and safe.

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Progress

Written consent has been obtained from social workers for the use of bedroom door alarms. Individualised risk assessments are in place regarding the use of the alarms. Management monitoring systems ensure the alarms are only activated when required. This helps to protect children and young people from harm. This requirement has been addressed.

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Progress

Young people, where appropriate, have a pathway plan in place. Additionally, the home is in the process of producing internal transition plans for young people which cover all areas of independence training. This helps to ensure young people are getting the appropriate support and training in preparation for adulthood and their next stages of life.

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Progress

The home’s development plan is now reviewed regularly and staff are contributing to the plan. The plan reflects progress made and the involvement of staff demonstrates an inclusive management style.

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Progress

Children and young people continue to make really good progress during their time at the home. They are happy at the home, their safety improves and their life opportunities also improve. This is because the staff team are totally committed to improving children and young people’s lives. They have trusting relationships with staff which helps them feel safe and they can learn to become as independent as possible. Children and young people are proud of their achievements and progress they have made. Their self-esteem and confidence also improves. Minutes of children and young people’s review meetings reflect the progress made by them all. Comments include: ‘****has gone from strength to strength in this placement which is a very different scenario than this time last year. **** is demonstrating behaviour that indicates **** is feeling safe in current placement; **** is excelling at school. Another young person’s minutes stated ‘Despite ****’s challenges with establishing

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Progress

and maintaining relationships the placement provides consistency, security and stability.’

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Progress

No requirements or recommendations have been made.

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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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