Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Greenwich

Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 1 SC386134 Registered provider: Esland South Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This privately run home provides care for up to four children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2008. The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021. The manager does not have a relevant leadership and management qualification.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, there were three children living at the home.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/07/2021 Full Good 07/10/2019 Full Good 15/07/2019 Full Inadequate 14/08/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make good progress living in this home. For some of the children, there has been an increase in their school attendance. Another child has made significant changes and has improved their outcomes since they moved into the home. There are now plans to reunify that child with their family. One child reported that they are happy, and they would not change anything about the home. Another child said, ‘The home is great, and I can talk to staff if I have worries or concerns, they listen to me.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children attend and participate in a variety of activities in the home and in the community. The activities are tailored to individual children’s interests or are group activities that all children can enjoy.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff encourage children to live a healthy lifestyle. One mother said, ‘My child never ate vegetables until they came to this home.’ Children have regular discussions with staff in relation to their physical health and emotional well-being. These conversations focus on important topics such as substance misuse, personal relationships and sexual health.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are listened to, and they know how to complain. Complaints are well recorded and responded to. As a result, children are more settled in the home and have positive experiences.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is a warm and nurturing environment for children. Their bedrooms are personalised and suitably furnished. However, sensor alarms on the children’s bedroom doors detract from the homely environment. Although the home has consent to use the sensor alarms, the need for this monitoring is not regularly reviewed to meet the needs of the current children in the home. The monitoring system creates an institutional feel.

p.3

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

Staff know and understand children’s risks and vulnerabilities. There are suitable strategies in place to mitigate these risks. Effective communication about safeguarding issues with children’s professional networks and external agencies enhances the safety of children. Plans to safeguard children are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that the identified strategies help to keep children safe.

p.3

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

There have been no incidents of bullying in the home. However, the manager and staff did not take appropriate action in response to a child reporting an incident of bullying from their school peers. Fortunately, for the child, this did not create a barrier to learning, but it was a missed opportunity to support the child and ensure that the bullying was addressed. Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 4 The home has a stable and skilled staff team, which means that children receive a consistent level of care. The recruitment process is thorough and safe, which means that the staff employed are suitable to care for children. A parent said, ‘The home works wonders’. All the staff are amazing, and they are great workers. They look after my child well.’

p.3

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

Room searches are carried out when necessary to help keep children safe. Room search records demonstrate that staff follow the correct procedures, and the rationale for room searches is justified and clear.

p.4

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

Children are given incentives to promote positive behaviour and attitudes. They are praised for their achievements, such as the progress made in building their independence skills and for improved school attendance.

p.4

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

A therapist said, ‘I have been working with the home for over a year now. I am impressed with the balance of genuine care for children and clear professionalism. There is warmth, and the home ensures children know what is expected of them and what support they will receive.’

p.4

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

Children’s records are comprehensive and reflect their needs. Children’s care plans are child-focused, which makes them more meaningful for each child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The leaders and managers are ambitious and have high aspirations for the development of the home and staff team. The registered manager is in the process of completing a leadership and management qualification. Since the last inspection, the manager has helped staff to improve the quality of recording.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers work proactively with other professionals and build positive relationships with parents. Communication with professionals and parents is good, and they receive regular updates about the progress and experiences of children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Feedback from parents and professionals is positive. A social worker said, ‘The manager was especially helpful with a child’s moving from their family home to this home. The manager went ‘above and beyond’ to visit the child and be there when they came to the home.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers are well informed and have a clear understanding of the progress that children make. They recognise when children are struggling and if the care provided is not meeting their needs. When children struggle to settle into the home, leaders and managers work with the professional network to ensure that suitable plans are in place to help and support children.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff feel well supported by the manager. They receive a thorough induction, regular supervision and training. Although staff receive whistle-blowing training and discuss this in their supervision, their knowledge of the whistle-blowing policy is limited and compromises safeguarding practice. Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 5 Staff’s attendance at regular team meetings helps to improve their practice. They also benefit from the support of a psychologist who helps them to reflect on the children’s needs and behaviours. This helps to improve outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 6

p.4

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.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person may only use devices for the monitoring or surveillance of children if—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is for the purpose of safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the child concerned, or other children;

p.6

Requirement Due date

the monitoring or surveillance is no more intrusive than necessary, having regard to the child’s need for privacy. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(d))

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the use of alarm sensors on children’s bedroom doors should be reviewed. 24 April 2023

p.6

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the whistle- blowing procedures for how a member of staff should report to an appropriate authority any concern they have about a child within the home being at risk of harm. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 43, paragraph 9.3)

p.6

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 for children’s home: SC386134 7

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland South Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Melvin Davies, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC386134 8 inspects 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. 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

p.7

Inspector

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