Children's home run by Esland North Limited in Amber Valley

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness .

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

There has been a change of manager in this home since the last inspection and the newly appointed manager is in the process of becoming registered. She is very child-focused and enthusiastic, and has high aspirations for the children and young people. This, as well as robust internal and external monitoring and quality assurance systems, and a smooth transition between managers, has ensured that improvement to the service has continued.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people speak highly of the staff team and describe their experiences of living in the home in extremely positive terms. One child said: ‘I would grade this home as ten out of ten. It is an amazing place. The staff are really nice and it feels like a family home rather than a children’s home.’ Another young person commented: ‘Living here has changed my life and I love it. If I tell staff something they help me. They are great.’ Children and young people feel safe and secure as a result of the positive relationships they have with a caring and committed staff team.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people are achieving improved outcomes while living in this home. A social worker explained in respect of a young person: ‘The progress I have seen is significant. Rarely have I seen such positive outcomes in such a short period of time. The young person was previously putting himself in such dangerous situations and is no longer doing this. He has engaged with staff and support agencies, he has stopped taking drugs and he has gone from not attending school to regular attendance and good engagement.’ The young person himself is also very proud of what he has achieved. He said: ‘I never thought I could stop using drugs, but with help I have and I feel proper healthy. I now eat and sleep well and just feel proper good. I am now also doing education every day and I am learning loads. I have learnt that I love writing.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Children and young people develop an understanding of social issues and learn to respect difference by engaging in a wide range of activities and key-work sessions that celebrate equality and diversity. As a result of this, one child has developed a keen interest in raising money for charity and has become the companies ‘charity champion’. At Christmas she bought, wrapped and then took presents to children at a local hospital. She now has big plans for raising money for Red Nose Day in the local community. As a result of engaging in such activities, not only has she become very aware of social issues and problems, she has also become integrated into her local community and she has developed empathy and self-esteem.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

A quick but well-planned transition into the home enabled a new young person to settle successfully. The pre-placement matching process was comprehensive, with the proposed young person’s social worker being contacted and asked probing questions to inform the matching assessment. Prior to the admission, the young person received photos of the home and the young person’s guide so he would know what to expect on arrival. Staff were well prepared and ensured that the new young person felt welcomed into the home.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Instances of children and young people going missing in this home have significantly reduced since the last inspection. As well as each child or young person having individualised risk management plans in relation to going missing, which are well understood by staff, a significant factor in this reduction is the positive relationships children and young people have with staff. A young person said: ‘When I came here I planned to keep running away, but then after staff helped me through a really difficult time I realised I want to be here and don’t want to run away. I have now stopped putting myself in risky situations.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff manage challenging behaviours well through their positive relationships with children and young people, and through proactive behaviour strategies such as praise, incentives and rewards. Recourse to physical intervention is extremely rare, with there being only one incident since the last inspection, which was proportionate and well reflected on by the staff and manager after the event. Children and young people themselves recognise improvements in how they regulate their emotions as a result of the support they receive from staff. One child commented: ‘I am calmer as if I feel angry I can talk to the staff about what is upsetting me and that really helps me calm down.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In response to a recommendation made at the last inspection regarding staff evidencing how they are preparing older young people for adulthood, the new manager has ensured that this now occurs. A current older young person living in the home is engaging well in a comprehensive independence programme which will help him to develop both the practical skills and emotional resilience required in adult life.

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Three further recommendations made at the last inspection have also been addressed with a resulting positive impact on the service. Risk assessments relating to the need to use door alarms on bedroom doors are now routinely reviewed to ensure that their use is proportionate at all times. High priority is being given to promoting children’s and young people’s educational achievements with the introduction of an ‘education champion’ to ensure that staff are proactive in liaising with schools and creating the right opportunities in the home to promote learning. Finally, the manager has implemented a system to ensure that if and when children or young people go missing, the outcomes of return interviews are shared with her to inform future risk management planning.

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Information about this children's home

A private company operates this home. It is registered to accommodate up to two children and young people who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 16/08/2016 Full Good 08/03/2016 Interim Improved effectiveness 02/11/2015 Full Good

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the ‘Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection’.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference that adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service 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’. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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