Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home provides care for up to six children with social and emotional difficulties and learning disabilities.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There is an experienced manager, who is registered with Ofsted.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

p.1

outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

p.1

outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/06/2021 Full Good 25/02/2020 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/04/2019 Full Requires improvement to be good 25/09/2018 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 3

p.2

outstanding

Children are receiving exceptional care from a highly skilled team of staff who know them very well. Children are nurtured, loved and treated with respect. This enables them to develop strong bonds with the manager and staff. Children are exceeding the expectations of themselves, their families and professionals. Parents say their children have totally changed since living at the home due to the ‘amazing’ staff team. As a result, children are very settled and are making remarkable progress in all areas of their lives.

p.3

outstanding

The manager and staff have embedded relevant theory and research into their care practice. This has been highly individualised for each child. Staff have taken an active role in using theory and research to inform their practice. This gives staff additional confidence, through knowing their practice has a strong foundation. The psychologist, working in the home, supports the team to apply the theories in meaningful ways. Consequently, children with complex needs benefit from evidence- based care.

p.3

outstanding

The manager and staff go above and beyond their roles to ensure that children attend education and training. They work steadily with children, their families and other professionals to achieve this. One child is now attending school after a long period out of education. His progress has surpassed predicted targets and he has received an excellent school report. Another child is starting a college course in the new term. Where children struggle with long-term education and training, credible alternatives are quickly found, such as accredited voluntary work and training schemes. Children are very proud of their achievements and aspire for their futures.

p.3

outstanding

Children have busy lives. They take part in regular activities, including sports, holidays and special events. Children are encouraged to discover their talents so they can build their confidence and self-esteem. For example, children are taking up photography, completing Duke of Edinburgh awards and a charity bike ride. The staff also support children to have time with family and friends. The manager and staff have created evocative memory books to ensure that children can revisit valuable times they have had. As a result, children will have lasting memories of a significant period of their lives.

p.3

outstanding

The manager ensures that children are fully involved in their care plans. They are written in accessible ways and children take an active role in reviewing their progress. They feel listened to and valued. Children make excellent progress with their health. For some children this has resulted in reducing the levels of prescribed medication. Children say they are very happy at the home and want to remain there until they are adults. Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 4

p.3

outstanding

The manager and staff have an excellent understanding of children’s risks and vulnerabilities. They recognise that risks are ever-changing and their written assessments reflect this. The manager reviews the risks to children regularly. She ensures that staff know when changes are made. Creative and sometimes innovative approaches are implemented to manage risks effectively. Children can review their risk assessments and talk to staff about any new and emerging situations. As a result, children gain insight into situations that can be harmful to them and become safer as a result.

p.4

outstanding

Children have trusted relationships with the manager and staff. In times of distress, they can rely on staff to support them with unlimited empathy, patience and reassurance. Children know they are not alone at their most vulnerable moments. This has helped children to feel safe and protected from harm.

p.4

outstanding

Staff use their skills and experience to manage incidents very well. There is minimal use of physical intervention. Any conflict in the home is managed safely and children are taught to compromise and negotiate. The manager has ensured that staff have an excellent working knowledge of the preferred therapeutic models they employ. Children are learning how to manage their feelings and behaviours in healthy ways. This has been life changing for some children as they can now manage situations that were previously overwhelming for them.

p.4

outstanding

Children rarely go missing from care. When this happens, the manager and staff respond in a well-coordinated way, often going above and beyond their roles to safeguard children. For example, they persistently look for children with other agencies until they are found. Consequently, children return quickly and safely and are supported when they come home. This proactive approach prevents children coming to harm.

p.4

outstanding

The manager and staff show high levels of commitment to the protection of children. Thorough recruitment processes are in place to ensure that children are cared for by staff who are vetted. There are good links with the local authority designated officer and other relevant external professional agencies. The manager and staff have supported children with a wide range of safeguarding issues. This has required a sensitive response to children and a persistent approach with professionals, particularly where investigations are required. Children are fully included in safeguarding processes because the staff know it is important for children to have their voices heard.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

There is an experienced and highly skilled manager. Her work is disseminated across other homes as a model of good practice. The manager demonstrates immense commitment to the children and has progressively raised the standards of care. The manager is extremely organised, focused and dedicated to her role. The deputy has Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 5 a key role in the leadership of the home and works closely with the manager. Together, they have inspired the team of staff to consistently go above and beyond their roles to change the lives of children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager has recruited an experienced and diverse staff team. Each member of staff brings individuality, which enriches the quality of care. Children benefit from staff’s range of skills and cultural influences.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff enjoy their work and see their colleagues as family. There is a thorough induction for new staff, and their progress is carefully reviewed. There are regular opportunities for further training and development for all staff. Training is relevant to the needs of the children. The staff benefit from regular supervision where they feel able to discuss the impact of their work. This has helped to maintain a core team of stable and cohesive staff who have exceptional energy and passion for their work. This helps children to develop and grow.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Managers have developed excellent relationships with internal and external professionals, who have great confidence in the care offered to children. They describe the home as ‘amazing’ and ‘brilliant’ and say that they ‘could not ask for anything more’. The manager is confident to challenge other professionals where there are shortfalls in plans for children. She regularly advocates for their needs. As a result, children are protected from decisions that are not in their best interests.

p.5

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager takes great pride in how she involves children in their care. She leads by example by regularly consulting with the children and acting on what they say. Children say that the manager always has time for them and comment that every home should have a manager like her. Children’s lives have improved significantly because of the care they receive. Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 6

p.5

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: 1257013 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland North Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Esland Limited, Suites 1 and 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

p.7

Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Richard Matthews

p.7

Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report children’s home: 1257013 8 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.

p.7

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8