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

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC478991 1 SC478991

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Esland North Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home offers placements for up to four children with a learning disability and associated complex needs.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2021 and is completing the appropriate qualifications.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to follow up on concerns raised with Ofsted about how staff manage children’s behaviours. At the time of the visit, two children were living in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector found that managers and staff understand children’s needs. As a result, children receive individualised care. For example, one child explained that staff help him to set goals that enable him to develop life skills. Good support enables children to develop their confidence and make progress.

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This monitoring visit

Staff encourage children to attend school and access routine and emergency healthcare services. Children’s education and health are supported well by staff.

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This monitoring visit

Managers and staff work well with children’s parents and professionals. One parent said about her child, ‘It’s the most settled he has ever been; [the staff] keep me up to date and bend over backwards to support contact.’ A professional said of the staff, ‘They are child-centred and strong advocates for the children.’ Children receive consistent messages from people in their lives and this promotes their emotional well-being.

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This monitoring visit

Since the last inspection, there have been changes to the staff team. Children have found these changes, together with the national lockdown due to the COVID-19 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC478991 2 (coronavirus) pandemic, difficult. Managers and staff have supported children during ‘share and care sessions’ to build positive relationships.

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This monitoring visit

Staff understand that limited access to external activities during periods of national lockdown has contributed to an increase in incidents in the home. Children receive help from staff who encourage good daily routines. Managers and staff understand some of the triggers to children’s behaviours. Risk assessments are detailed and provide staff with guidance to understand these triggers and recognise early warning signs, and information about which strategies are the most effective. Staff use physical intervention as a last resort to prevent harm to children and staff and to prevent damage to the home. Staff work hard to keep children safe and manage difficult behaviours sensitively.

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This monitoring visit

All staff receive regular supervision with a manager. Managers have assessed the training needs of staff and all staff have completed mandatory training. Some staff have completed training that is specific to the needs of the children who live in the home. The remaining staff are booked on the next course. Staff feel well supported to understand their roles in caring for the children.

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This monitoring visit

There have been some improvements in the decor of the home; for example, there are now pictures on display showing children and staff sharing positive experiences together. However, there is noticeable damage that requires attention. A lack of soft furnishings and ornaments contributes to the environment not feeling homely.

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This monitoring visit

Safeguarding concerns are managed well. Managers share information appropriately with parents and professionals. However, the manager does not consistently report all safeguarding incidents to Ofsted. This limits opportunities for external quality assurance.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 10/02/2020 Full Good 13/03/2019 Interim Sustained effectiveness 24/04/2018 Full Good 05/04/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC478991 3

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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 registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if— there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there.

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Requirement Due date

A notification made under this regulation— must include details of— the matter; the other persons, bodies or organisations (if any) who or which have been notified; and any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter; must be made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 40 (4)(c) (5)(a)(i)(ii)(iii) 22 March 2021

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Recommendation

 For children’s homes to be nurturing and supportive environments that meet the needs of their children, they will, in most cases, be homely, domestic environments. Children’s homes must comply with relevant health and safety legislations (alarms, food hygiene etc.); however, in doing so, homes should seek as far as possible to maintain a domestic rather than ‘institutional’ impression. ‘Guide to the children’s homes regulations including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC478991 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, Suite 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

Helen Malanaphy, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC478991 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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