Children's Home run by T&J Victorious Ltd in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 1 Registered provider: T&J Victorious Ltd Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered with Ofsted in October 2024 and is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, no children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager is registered with Ofsted and was present throughout this 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 requires improvement to be good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and the staff maintain the home to a high standard. Rooms are clean and well furnished, but the home lacks some homely aspects and feels clinical in some areas. Bedrooms have been cleared and are ready to welcome new children. Staff and managers continue to be present in the property.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child’s time at the home ended recently after a serious incident occurred. Another child moved on due to risks presented in the local area. One child lived at the home for an intentionally short period. This was following an emergency request by the local authority, which was accommodated by the provider. The provider is newly registered with Ofsted and has supported children with particularly complex needs and trauma from past experiences. The manager has ensured that there has been reflection and learning with the staff about the children’s time in the home to improve outcomes for future admissions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have been encouraged to engage and attend education. One child was enrolled in a specialist provision, and staff went above and beyond in ensuring that their attendance was consistent. Staff transported the child daily, even on days when they were late. The staff developed a collaborative relationship with staff at the provision. The manager of the provision said, ’I have a great relationship with the home and the social worker, and we worked together brilliantly.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have arrived at the home at challenging points in their lives. The staff have worked with consistency and care to support children’s health and emotional well-being. The manager and staff have been consistent in their attempts to encourage children to engage in activities they enjoy and try new experiences. Although children have often chosen not to participate regularly, there have been times when they have accessed hobbies and interests in the local area. Staff encourage children to cook and try new foods from different cultures. Children respond positively to this and have enjoyed cooking for the adults.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff encourage children to engage in meaningful discussions regarding their care and lives. Records of discussions reflect the open approach and genuine care staff have for the children. However, some records in relation to children going missing are judgemental and stigmatising around children’s decision-making. Children have not engaged in opportunities to meet with professionals to discuss their views on the home. In response, staff have used different methods for considering children’s wishes and feelings in a less formal manner.

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

Staff respond effectively to children who go missing, and there has been consistent practice for two of the children who were living at the home. Children have clear and up- Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 3 to-date safety plans and protocols. Staff understand and follow these plans. They work collaboratively with local specialist police teams. Staff have explored changes to their approach to reduce missing-from-home episodes and risk. Police officers have been invited to the home to provide training for staff and develop their understanding of processes. A police officer said, ‘They always approach the situation with an open mind and in exploring different options.’

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

Children have robust risk management plans in place, and staff understand them. Effective systems are in place to ensure that staff refresh their knowledge when plans are reviewed and updated. Safety plans focus on the most concerning risks for children. However, one child’s safety plan in relation to self-harm did not contain information about an incident involving the child. Information relating to that specific risk was not up to date, but this did not affect the child.

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

There is a positive and effective approach to supporting children when they struggle with their emotions and behaviours. Detailed plans are in place to guide staff on how to help children navigate their feelings and frustrations. The manager has considered children’s past experiences and trauma when constructing plans. There is an emphasis on staff considering their own behaviours around children in crisis and the positive impact this can have.

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

The team works effectively in partnership with other professionals to ensure children’s safety. The manager fosters positive relationships with social workers and the police. Family members of children are included in the approach to keeping children safe. The manager recognises that good communication with family members creates more points of contact to refer to when there are concerns about children’s welfare.

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

Children in the home have misused drugs and alcohol. Children have plans in place to help staff understand how to support them. Staff establish boundaries, ensuring that children understand their expectations. The manager has organised training for staff to develop their skills in supporting children who misuse illegal substances. The manager has sought the intervention and support of external agencies to work with children around the risks of substance misuse.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The home is led by a dedicated registered manager. The home is newly registered. The manager is still developing staff skills and experience in children’s residential care. The manager is committed to the development of the home and is focused on children making progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

The responsible individual has not supported the manager effectively. The manager is not receiving supportive or regular supervision. The responsible individual has not provided support to the home when the manager has been absent from work. The manager is not being supported by leaders and managers when considering the quality assurance of children’s care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 4 The manager has notified Ofsted of previous safeguarding incidents and concerns, but not all of them have been reported. The responsible individual did not update Ofsted about a significant incident involving a child when the manager was absent. This prevented independent oversight from the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff receive regular and effective supervision. Sessions are well planned, and staff feel supported in their roles. The manager organises monthly team meetings. Staff value this time together to discuss practice and ways to improve their support for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Staff receive regular training. However, staff require more bespoke training to better understand children’s trauma and how that informs their experiences and emotions. The manager’s workforce development plan is not yet effective in identifying areas where the staff team needs development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: requires improvement to be good

Professionals say that the manager is effective and a strong communicator. They speak highly of the staff team and their commitment to children’s care. The manager values feedback from others to reflect on and improve practice. The manager is leading an open culture in the home. They seek advice and guidance from a range of professionals to improve outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 5

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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

An individual may only carry on a children’s home if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5).

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Requirement Due date

have the capacity, experience and skills to supervise the management of the home, or the homes, in respect of which the responsible individual is nominated. (Regulation 26 (1) (7)(b)) 1 October 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e))

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Requirement Due date

This specifically relates to ensuring that all safeguarding incidents are promptly reported to Ofsted. 1 September 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have a workforce plan that can fulfil the workforce- related requirements of Regulation 16, Schedule 1 (paragraphs 19 and 20). The plan should be updated to include any new training and qualifications undertaken by the staff while working at the home and used to record the ongoing training and continuing professional development needs of the staff, including the home’s manager. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.8)  The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. Where there are safeguarding concerns for a child, their placement plan, agreed between the home and their placing authority, should include details of the steps the home will take to manage any assessed risks on a day-to-day basis. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes

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Recommendations

Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that staff record information about individual children in a non-stigmatising way, avoiding institutionalised language. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2791323 7

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Candida Awoh Epse Matariro

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Inspector

Chris Haines, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2791323 8 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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