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

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 1 Registered provider: T-Junction Children’s Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider. 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

Three children were living in the home at the time of inspection. Two children were seen during the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in January 2023.

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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: 2495951 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

This visit was carried out in response to concerns raised directly to Ofsted about the care of a child who previously lived in the home. Prior to inspection, some stakeholders raised concerns about children’s safety, poor care practices and the supervision of children by staff.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has left the home, and one child has come to live at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Door alarms on bedroom doors overnight were reinstated following an incident during the night involving children in each other’s bedrooms. Staff are vigilant in ascertaining where in the home children are so as to ensure that children are not left together without supervision. Children’s risk assessments reflect this and staff support children to live safely together. Staff spoken to were clear about the risks and what actions they take to ensure children are safe.

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Findings from the inspection

When incidents take place, action is taken to ensure children are safeguarded. Risk assessments for children are individualised, informative and updated regularly, including after incidents. Staff are aware of children’s needs and risks and what actions to take. The manager has effective and reflective oversight of incidents, and any practice issues or learning is addressed individually and in team meetings.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have developed trusting relationships with children, and children have been able to approach and request support when they need it. Children are supported to express themselves and their wishes and feelings. Discussions with children are aligned to their age and needs, and staff and managers check out their understanding and revisit important discussions.

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Findings from the inspection

When children do not yet have suitable formal education, staff support children with informal learning opportunities which are planned. On the morning of inspection, one child was supported by staff to choose clothing to suit the weather when planning a trip to the zoo. Staff were observed to be proactive in ensuring the child had what they required for the day and in going to buy some additional items the child needed.

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Findings from the inspection

One child, who had been out of education for some time before coming to live in the home, has been supported into full-time education. This is good progress. The child was seen after school in their new uniform, and staff were ensuring that the child had everything they need, for example for physical education at school.

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Findings from the inspection

When planning for a child coming to live at the home, managers consider if the staff can meet the child’s needs, and they ensure that the staff have sufficient Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 3 information about the child. This is to ensure that the safety and progress of all children are considered. Any new or emerging risks are incorporated into risk assessments and care plans. Staff have training that meets the specific needs of children who move in and can request refresher training, additional or more in-depth training if they or the manager feel they need this.

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Findings from the inspection

One child’s social worker said they felt the staff and managers are very attuned to children’s individual needs and that careful transition planning helped one child to settle. When there have been incidents, the social worker felt that they were well managed, and communication and response have been strong.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has worked since the last inspection to stabilise the staff team and recruit to the increased number of senior roles which leaders agreed to. There is now a full staff team in place. Staff said they feel that the team is strong and working well together, and that they feel supported by managers.

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Findings from the inspection

The recommendations from the previous inspection are restated and will be reviewed at the next inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/04/2025 Full Good 24/07/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/04/2024 Full Inadequate 23/05/2023 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 5

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Recommendations

 Children should be in full-time education whilst they are of compulsory school age, unless their personal education plan contained within the care plan or other relevant plan states otherwise. The home must aim to support full time attendance at school unless the child’s relevant plan indicates this is not in their best interests. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.14)  The registered person should monitor and review the patterns and trends of turnover of staff, whether agency or directly employed, and be able to understand and, where possible, address any negative trends. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.19) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 6

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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

Caroline Hose, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2495951 7 regulates 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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