Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Kent

Assurance visit report: SC059037 1 SC059037

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides long-term care and accommodation for a maximum of four young people who display a range of challenging behaviours and emotional complexities.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager was registered with Ofsted in December 2019.

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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: SC059037 2

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The care of children

The relationships between children and staff have deepened and developed as a result of the restrictions imposed due to COVID-19. Staff have been inventive and proactive in responding to the changes in schooling arrangements and the shutdown of amenities. In addition, the quality of the time spent with the children has increased.

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The care of children

During this period, a child has successfully returned to her family in a planned and carefully considered manner and another child has moved in, with a similarly measured approach.

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The care of children

The children’s contact with their families has been prioritised and full use has been made of the available communication technologies to make this as meaningful as possible for them.

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The care of children

Discussions with staff and the records examined demonstrate that staff strive to understand and respond to the changing needs and vulnerabilities of the children. Staff listen to the children and actively involve them in the running of the home. The children express feelings of belonging and attachment to the staff.

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The safety of children

The safety and well-being of the children have remained the central focus of the staff during this period. They have responded quickly and effectively when children’s behaviour has contributed to the children being at risk of harm. Furthermore, the plans that guide staff to keep children safe are detailed, current and clear.

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The safety of children

The manager and staff have established positive relationships with the key agencies in their area, and are able to gain quick, supportive responses when children are at risk or require specialist support.

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The safety of children

Staff have remained alert and well-prepared to manage the changing threats posed by COVID-19, and are closely following protocols and guidelines to keep the children as safe as possible from infection.

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The safety of children

The home is situated close to the town centre. This provides many opportunities for the children, but also presents a number of hazards. The nearby railway station has featured significantly over time in incidents where children have been at risk of harm in the local community. The locality suitability assessment from the home is regularly updated, but does not contain sufficient detail to effectively guide staff in safeguarding the children in this part of the town.

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Leaders and managers

The manager displays clear and determined leadership, and is supported well by senior staff to provide the children with structure and stability. Clear, accurate Assurance visit report: SC059037 3 recording and effective communication through regular staff meetings and supervision have been maintained throughout this period. This, together with the presence of a committed staff team, has enabled the home to provide consistent care for the children. There are, however, some signs of general fatigue emerging in the staff team that need to be addressed.

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Leaders and managers

All but one of the recommendations and requirements set at the last inspection have been met. However, the manager is still not making effective use of the regulation 45 review process to further improve the quality of care provided for children.

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Recommendations

 When establishing the home, the registered person must ensure that it is suitably located so that children are effectively safeguarded and can access services to meet needs identified in their relevant plans (see regulations 12(2)(c)). Under regulation 46, the registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises of the home at least once a year. The review should include the identification of any risks and opportunities presented by the home’s location and strategies for managing these. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person is responsible for deciding what each (regulation 45) review should focus on, based on the specific circumstances of the home at that particular time and any areas of high risk to the children that the home is designed to care for, such as missing or exploitation. They will also consider what

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Recommendations

information or data recorded in the home will form part of the evidence base for their analysis and conclusions. There is no expectation that the registered person will review the home against every part of the Quality Standards every six months – registered persons should use their professional judgement to decide which factors to focus on. The review should enable the registered person to identify areas of strength and possible weakness in the home’s care, which will be captured in the written report. The report should clearly identify any actions required for the next 6 months of delivery within the home and how those actions will be addressed. The whole review process and the resulting report should be used as a tool for continuous improvement in the home. (‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 65, paragraph 15.4)

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland South Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Suites 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN Assurance visit report: SC059037 4 Responsible individual: James Barlow

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Inspector:

John Pledger, Social Care Inspector Assurance visit report: SC059037 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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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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Inspector:

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

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