Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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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 with emotional and behavioural difficulties and/or learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The home is led by a registered manager.

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Information about this children’s home

A second manager, appointed to cover the long-term absence of the original manager, has recently been registered. This manager is undertaking the relevant qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

Due to COVID-19 (coronavirus), at the request of the Secretary of state, we suspended all routine inspections of social care providers on 17 March 2020.

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Information about this children’s home

We last visited this setting on 19 and 20 October 2020 to carry out an assurance visit. The report is published on our website.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 7 November 2019

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: improved effectiveness

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/11/2019 Interim Improved effectiveness 29/05/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child lives in this home. He is settled and making good progress. The child has good relationships with staff and feels well supported. Staff have a thorough understanding of his needs, vulnerabilities and risks. Staff spend good-quality time with him and this contributes to strong relationships being formed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child attends an alternative education provision. At times, he has struggled to maintain good attendance but he is making progress. Attending school is now a much more positive experience for him. The manager and staff work hard with school staff to ensure that the child fulfils his educational potential.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is registered with primary health care providers and receives annual health reviews. The staff understand his emotional and behavioural needs. The quality of care is enhanced by advice and guidance from therapists working in the organisation. This helps the staff to be aware of, and sensitive to, the underlying causes of challenging behaviour.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff make certain that when the child visits his family, these visits are enjoyable and safe. The manager and staff work well with the local authority to make sure that agreed plans are fully adhered to. This has helped the child to maintain crucial family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is of a good standard. Staff ensure that it is kept clean, modern looking and comfortable. Any damage to the home is quickly repaired. The child is becoming more confident in giving his views about the décor and furniture. This demonstrates that he is taking pride in his home and growing in self-esteem.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff have a good understanding of the risks faced by the child when using social media. Staff have the right equipment to monitor internet use and restrict access to inappropriate sites. Staff undertake key-work sessions with the child to provide him with information about online risks.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The manager and staff complete and regularly update detailed risk assessments and behaviour support plans. These enable staff to understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. Behaviour support plans give clear guidance to staff on how to keep the child safe, de-escalate behaviours and respond to risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

The child has, at times, used alcohol to excess when in the community. The staff made certain that he received immediate medical attention on these occasions. Staff undertake direct key work with the child to understand the drivers for this behaviour. They have also completed programmes of work with the child so that he has a clearer understanding of the risks associated with alcohol misuse. Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 4 The child is safer because the manager and staff have a good understanding of risks in the wider community. The manager has completed a very good location risk assessment. This assessment considers the specific needs of the child against wider community hazards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The recently appointed manager has made a good start. He acted quickly in response to a requirement set at the last Ofsted visit. As a result, admission processes are now better.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have strong professional relationships with the manager. They feel valued and say that the manager listens to their ideas and suggestions. The manager has also developed a good relationship with the child. He has a good understanding of the child’s plans. The manager speaks passionately about the child’s strengths, sets high standards and is aspirational.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff are supported by a structured induction. This includes undertaking mandatory training and increased levels of professional supervision. New staff feel well supported and are enjoying their new jobs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have taken quick, decisive action when the practice of staff has not been to the required standard. Leaders and managers follow procedures correctly, putting the safety and welfare of children at the centre of their decision- making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The child’s outcomes are improved as a result of good working relationships with partner agencies. External professionals say that the manager and staff communicate well and work collaboratively to address any challenges. One professional described the staff as ‘fantastic’.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is respectful of the central role of the child’s parents. As a result, the child’s parents are fully included in decision-making and kept fully informed of all developments. Parents say that they very much value the approach taken by the manager. Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’. This 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’. Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 6

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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

Registered managers: Rachel Whittaker and Lee Mangnall

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Inspector

Phillip Morris, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 2501397 7 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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