Children's Home run by T-Junction Children’s Services in Leicestershire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 1 Registered provider: T-Junction Children’s Services Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home. It provides care for up to three children who have social and emotional needs. At the time of the inspection, three children were living in the home and were spoken to. The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2024.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 14 November 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are cared for in a warm and friendly home that reflects their likes and personalities and is decorated and furnished to a high standard. There are lovely photos and canvases displayed around the home of the children enjoying spending time together and with staff. Children are excited when their favourite staff members arrive at the home and greet them with squeals and affection. Staff and children shout ‘love you, bye’ as they leave the home.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported when there are plans for them to move into the home. Managers and staff visit children and support them to visit and receive information to help prepare them. The approach is child focused and individualised to each child and their likes.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to attend and achieve in education. Managers and the responsible individual have worked closely with other agencies to ensure all the children have access to suitable schools. Staff work closely with education to support children to continue to attend and make progress.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to spend time with the people who are important to them, in line with their care plans. Staff advocate for children to ensure that family time is positive for them. Staff support children to have play dates with friends, which is important for their self-esteem and relationships with peers.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children move on from the home, staff and managers stay in touch with them when this is agreed with their local authority. This includes staff and children going to visit children in their new homes and taking them birthday gifts and cards.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are keen to ensure that children have positive experiences and make lasting memories while they live at the home. Children are supported to try a wide variety of activities and clubs in the local area and have fun holidays together.

p.3

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

Staff and children have built strong relationships. Staff understand how these relationships help keep children safer. Staff recognise when children need additional support. This helps reduce the number of incidents. When an incident has taken place, there is reflective management oversight that informs future learning.

p.3

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

Children have individualised risk assessments and plans. These records are updated regularly, including after an incident. Plans identify how children can be helped and what they do not like, and children’s voices are evident in their care planning. This also helps to keep them safer and reduce risks. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 4 When there has been an incident where staff have had to use physical intervention, this has been proportionate to ensure the safety of children and staff. There are detailed debriefs carried out with children and staff, and any learning is embedded.

p.3

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

Staff have frequent planned and ad hoc key-work sessions with children. These are about issues that are relevant to them, and staff do not shy away from having difficult conversations. Discussions with children are child friendly, and staff use children’s interests to help children take part. For example, they watch video clips and then have a discussion, or children deliver presentations to show they have understanding.

p.4

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

Children’s feedback is acted on, and children understand how to make a complaint. Any allegations are responded to promptly and robustly.

p.4

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

There are robust procedures in place to ensure the safe storage and administration of medication. All staff have received training, and all staff have a first-aid qualification.

p.4

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

Children are supported to access specialist support when this is needed. Staff and managers communicate well with other agencies who are involved with the child to help keep them safer and reduce risks. Information in children’s care plans and risk assessments is shared with them, and their views are considered.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a passionate manager and deputy manager. Staff, children and external professionals speak positively about the managers and senior leaders. Managers and staff are aspirational for the children they care for and are proud of their achievements and progress.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager ensures that safer recruitment processes are followed and that any staff in the home have had the required vetting and checks. Attention and changes to shift times and rotas have been made to better meet the needs of the children in the home.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a strong, experienced and qualified staff team. The staff are positive about team morale and the family feel in the home. Staff development is supported by managers.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a thorough induction for any new staff into the home. Staff have regular supervision with managers, and team meetings include input from a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. Staff attend training relevant to the needs of the children. Although team meetings take place, these are not consistently recorded.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a clear understanding of the strengths of the home and the areas they wish to further develop. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 5 The requirement and recommendations set at the previous inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 6

p.4

Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the responsibilities and accountabilities in the leadership and management standard are fulfilled. This particularly relates to the manager ensuring that team meetings are documented to ensure sufficient monitoring and oversight of the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 52, paragraph 10.2)

p.6

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: 2769134 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: T-Junction Children’s Services Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Caroline Hose, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2769134 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.8

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.8