Children's home run by T-Junction Children’s Services

Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1252023 1

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T-Junction Children’s Services Ltd

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for up to three children who have social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home is owned and operated by a private provider.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has very recently resigned her post. Three children were living at the home at the time of the monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is aware of the challenges that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is currently posing to those we regulate. During this monitoring visit, the inspector took into consideration the impact of any measures being taken to slow the spread of COVID-19 by the home. Monitoring of this home was carried out remotely.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was carried out due to concerns identified from notifications sent from the provider to Ofsted. The notifications identified potentially significant issues relating to the protection of children.

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This monitoring visit

A serious incident has taken place in the home. During the incident, two staff members displayed poor, potentially harmful practice. However, other staff on duty and on-call managers reacted immediately to reduce risk to children. Staff who had behaved inappropriately were removed from duty immediately. All relevant safeguarding agencies were promptly informed. This enabled an effective, independent investigation. Although this was an isolated incident, managers have taken steps to learn lessons and prevent recurrence. A requirement is set to ensure that this learning continues.

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This monitoring visit

The quick and effective actions taken by staff in response to the incident demonstrate that the home’s safeguarding training is effective. However, the incident Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1252023 2 has highlighted some weakness in relation to the way that staff can access advice and guidance in an emergency. Although staff were able to access good advice during the incident, lines of accountability and on-call management arrangements were not clearly set out for staff to follow.

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This monitoring visit

Children are not always given the opportunity to speak with an independent advocate. They did not have this opportunity after the incident. This means that children cannot always share concerns about their safety with an independent adult.

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This monitoring visit

Procedures for the administration and recording of medication have improved. Leaders and managers took robust action after failings were identified. Senior staff are now responsible for the administration and recording of medication. They undertake regular audits. Staff have received further training. This reduces the capacity for medication mistakes.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

23/10/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 09/04/2019 Full Good 16/07/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good 18/10/2017 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1252023 3

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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, 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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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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

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1)(2)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that managers and staff take learning from a significant incident that placed children at risk. 10 March 2021

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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

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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

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to the need to ensure that management cover arrangements are clear and sufficient to respond to safeguarding children. 10 March 2021 Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1252023 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should encourage children to understand that they can speak to an independent advocate, Ofsted inspectors or other relevant persons if they have concerns about their safety. (‘Guide to children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.11)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: T-Junction Children’s Services Ltd

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 27 The Pastures, Narborough, Leicester LE19 3DS

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Inspector

Simon Hunter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home – monitoring visit: 1252023 5 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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