Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It provides care and accommodation for one child or young person, aged between eight and 16 years.

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection date: 7 November 2019

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Information about this children’s home

Previous inspection judgement: Improved effectiveness

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Information about this visit

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), Ofsted suspended all routine inspections in March 2020. As part of a phased return to routine inspection, we are undertaking assurance visits to children’s social care services that are inspected under the social care common inspection framework (SCCIF).

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Information about this visit

At these visits, inspectors evaluate the extent to which:

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Information about this visit

 children are well cared for  children are safe  leaders and managers are exercising strong leadership.

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Information about this visit

This visit was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000, following the published guidance for assurance visits.

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Information about this visit

Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills is leading Ofsted’s work into how England’s social care system has delivered child-centred practice and care within the context of the restrictions placed on society during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Findings from the visit

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance visit. Assurance visit report: 2501397 2

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The care of children

This home cares for children who have complex emotional and behavioural needs. Some children make considerable progress. One parent said: ‘My child is making an amazing amount of progress. I have not seen this before.’ Another commented: ‘I am over the moon. He has progressed tenfold.’

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The care of children

Progress with some children is less obvious. An independent reviewing officer said: ‘This child did make some progress. He did go to health appointments, which sounds tiny, but is very significant for his mental health needs.’

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The care of children

From their starting points, some children’s educational attendance and attainment improves. Children who previously refused to attend education now embrace learning. This improves life chances.

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The care of children

Staff are knowledgeable and experienced. They develop strong and warm relationships with all children. This means that some children trust staff to nurture and care for them. This enables children to flourish.

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The care of children

Children’s views are heard on a day-to-day basis. A vast range of systems ensure that they can express their views about their care and any concerns.

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The safety of children

Children are safe in this home. Staff have strong safeguarding knowledge and skills.

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The safety of children

Complex safeguarding incidents have required rigorous investigation. Allegations progress in line with procedures and show robust safeguarding practice.

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The safety of children

Behaviour management is good. Skilled staff support children to regulate their behaviours. Physical interventions are rarely used in this home. They are only used to prevent harm to children. Records show safe interventions, undertaken by a well- trained staff team.

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The safety of children

Children have not been missing from this home. Staff ratios and robust monitoring safeguard children.

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Leaders and managers

The registered manager has a clear focus to drive continual improvement. She leads a cohesive and dedicated team.

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Leaders and managers

Senior managers placed a child in the home whose known behaviours were beyond the skills of the team. The core team was resilient and committed, but could not meet the needs of this child. The independent reviewing officer said: ‘Staff did their very best.’ Relief staff did not ensure that this placement began with clear rules and Assurance visit report: 2501397 3 boundaries, which did not help the child. Since this time there have been changes and new leadership arrangements are in place.

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Leaders and managers

Managers ensure that staff have suitable qualifications and training. Staff are either qualified or working towards the required qualifications. This means that the staff team is well equipped to meet the needs of children. Staff take part in a programme of training. The training ensures that they have specific knowledge to meet the needs of children.

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Leaders and managers

Partnership work is a strength of this home. The multi-agency teams deliver cohesive care to each child. One social care professional said: ‘The home worked well in partnership. We were updated all the time. The registered manager advocated on behalf of the child when it was necessary.’

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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, 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

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b)(2)(a)) 23/11/2020 Assurance visit report: 2501397 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Esland Ltd, Suites 1 & 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Elisabeth Brownlees

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Inspector

Amanda Ellis, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: 2501397 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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