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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 1 Registered provider: T-Junction Children’s Services Ltd

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to three children.

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Information about this children’s home

There were three children living at the home at the time of the inspection. They all contributed to the inspection.

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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: 1252023 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/06/2023 Full Good 31/01/2023 Full Good 25/10/2022 Full Inadequate 15/06/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the previous inspection, one child has left the home following a sensitive planned transition and one child has moved into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are at the heart of this home. The children experience a nurturing approach from the adults, who provide positive consistent care. Adults speak about children with enthusiasm, warmth and compassion. Some of the children have lived at the home for a long time. This level of stability creates a real sense of belonging. This has been significant in allowing children to build secure and meaningful relationships with a team of adults whom children know, trust and rely on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged and supported to take part in a variety of enjoyable activities and attend clubs. They enjoy many positive experiences and develop hobbies and talents. Children go out weekly and attend community activities. For example, one child goes out rock climbing, and another child is a volunteer at a local farm. This supports children’s confidence and helps to build their self-esteem.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend education daily. Well-established routines and structure ensure that children are well prepared for the school day. When children return home, they chat with adults about how their day has been and what they have learned. Adults work closely with education providers to ensure that there is effective partnership working to help children make good progress. Children receive consistency in care and education. Children engage with learning and make clear progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have a wide variety of opportunities to share their views, wishes and feelings using different communication methods. These are captured and acted on using social stories, reward boxes and weekly children’s meetings. Children also have personalised memory books and first experience books, which builds positive memories for each child. However, children are not always accessing advocacy when available, and one child does not have an advocate. This limits children’s opportunities to understand their rights and have support about any concerns they may have.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a house that is homely and welcoming. The home environment reflects that children are valued. There is a lot of laughter and fun in the home. Communal rooms have many photos of events and holidays that children have been on together. The children have personalised their rooms, giving them a sense of pride and belonging. The adults see themselves as a family around the children in a family home. The environment promotes the well-being of children. Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 4

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

Children enjoy the trusting relationships built with the adults. They provide a strong and consistent routine that children benefit from. The adults can manage and support children through any worries or anxieties they may have. Children grow in confidence and self-esteem. This supports children to feel safe and secure.

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

Adults complete the provider’s mandatory training. They also receive bespoke training that is tailored to the needs of the children. While safeguarding is a specific agenda item in team meetings and in one-to-one meetings, discussions do not always take place. This does not provide opportunities for adults to discuss and reflect more about specific safeguarding issues in regard to the child or risks posed in the community.

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

Adults do hold children at times in response to difficult behaviour. When this occurs, managers ensure that records are scrutinised and that the use of the holds is appropriate and proportionate. Children are given the opportunity to speak with adults and offered support following an incident. However, some records do not reflect emotional warmth or language that cares.

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

Children are safer because their risk assessments and plans provide clarity and direction for adults. When there is an incident of concern, the manager and adults reflect on the plans and risks and adjust plans if required. Plans are also subject to regular updating, so they accurately reflect children’s risks and vulnerabilities. These plans provide staff with the direction they need to support and protect children.

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

Children receive appropriate healthcare support and attend routine appointments. This includes more specialist services when required. Adults work well with other health agencies to ensure that children are receiving the well-being support while working through issues pertinent to them. Children are registered with all health services, and health needs are quickly addressed.

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

Overall, the manager recruits staff in accordance with safer recruitment policies. However, the full employment history for some staff caring for children has not been fully accounted for.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and dedicated to the children and their care. She is clearly child-focused and is able to detail the progress and experience of each child. She is an integral part of the home. The manager and deputy manager work well together creating consistency and stability within the team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Adults enjoy their work. They see themselves as a ‘work family’ and are invested in the children’s care. Adults say they feel supported and have confidence in the managers. They have regular team and one-to-one meetings, which provides Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 5 oversight and direction for their roles and responsibilities. They work well together, and staff morale is positive.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

All adults have completed mandatory training and also engage in bespoke training tailored to the individual needs of the children. The organisation is committed to providing ongoing professional development, offering yearly conferences, quarterly newsletters and various growth opportunities. Additionally, adults receive daily support and guidance from managers and peers. This means that children benefit from the care of a skilled and knowledgeable team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has systems in place to monitor the quality of care. This ensures good management oversight of how the child is being cared for. Children’s development and progress are communicated to external professionals, such as social workers, who receive regular updates and reports. The professionals who contributed to this inspection commended the work and commitment of the manager and adults. This supports the progression and achievement of children’s goals for the future. Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the content and/or outcomes of team meetings and one-to-one sessions reflect discussion on safeguarding issues which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs and external risks of children assigned to their care. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.4)  The registered person should ensure that the recruitment of staff safeguards children and minimises potential risks to them, including completion of criminal record checks for applicants who have lived overseas. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a

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Recommendations

non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure that all children must have access to appropriate advocacy support, and where possible, this should be provided by a person that the child chooses. Looked-after children are entitled to an independent advocate to advise them and ensure they have the support they need to express their views, wishes and feelings about their care and lives. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 23, paragraph 4.16)

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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: 1252023 7

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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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Inspectors

Thirza Smith, Social Care Inspector Laura Copus, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1252023 8 and inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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