Children's home run by Willow Tree Children’s Services Ltd

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 1 Registered provider: Willow Tree Children’s Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is operated by a private provider and is registered to care for one child with social and emotional difficulties. It is set in a semi-rural location near a major town. There were no children living in the home at the time of the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in November 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 15 November 2023

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

No children have lived in the home since the full inspection in November 2023. The senior management team is clear that no child will be placed in the home until there is a staff team with the skills and confidence to meet the needs of that child. The management team is committed to bolstering the staff team by recruiting experienced staff. All new staff across the organisation have been supported through a new, detailed induction programme.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have been working in the supported accommodation homes within the organisation to improve their skills to work with children and young people. Through this, there has been progress made towards meeting some of the ongoing requirements set at the last two inspections. For example, staff have had training in the home’s therapeutic ethos, and have had the opportunity to put this into practice in the other homes where they are currently working. Staff have been reflective in supervision sessions, identifying what they have learned and how they are using these skills. Additionally, all staff have now started to complete the level 3 diploma in residential child care, commenting that they are finding this interesting, and it is increasing their confidence, skills and abilities.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has been reviewing practices and procedures in the home. This has included developing programmes for when children are out of education, and upskilling staff in how to include education in daily activities, in addition to providing structured daily planners to help children to engage.

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Findings from the inspection

The responsible individual has reviewed recruitment practice to ensure that all relevant pre-employment checks have taken place. There is now a clear line of responsibility for checking and verifying references. The introduction of clear guidance on when to source certificates of good conduct from other countries where applicants have previously lived means there will be no confusion over the need for these.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager is due to leave the home at the end of February 2024. Succession planning has begun, with some suitable applicants identified who are due to be interviewed.

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Findings from the inspection

Two requirements have been repeated, although adapted, recognising the changes that have been implemented to improve staff skills and training. At this stage, it cannot be evaluated whether records have improved as there have not been any children living in the home. Additionally, staff skills regarding managing and supporting children when they are in crisis, upset or angry cannot be judged at this inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

15/11/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 23/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 4

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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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

encourage each child to take responsibility for the child’s behaviour, in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop and practise skills to resolve conflicts positively and without harm to anyone;

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Requirement Due date

communicate to each child expectations about the child’s behaviour and ensure that the child understands those expectations in accordance with the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children; 19 April 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 5 de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(viii)(ix)(xi))

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Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and promotes their welfare.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(c)(h))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that records are fully completed, clear and factual and that language is child-focused. 19 April 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Willow Tree Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 71–75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ

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Inspector

Jennie Christopher, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2680923 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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