Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Warrington

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home was registered in March 2022 and is run by a private company. It provides care for one child with emotional and social difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

A new manager has been in place since November 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Date of last inspection: 14 September 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At these inspections, the inspector(s) evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

There is one child living in the home. They are settled and making progress. The home is personalised. The child has recently been involved in choosing new items for their bedroom. There are a range of toys and books around the home. It is spacious, bright and welcoming. The child’s artwork is displayed on the walls, and there are many photos of the child throughout the home. This gives them a good sense of belonging.

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The care of children

Following the last inspection, the manager effectively challenged the local authority regarding the child’s education placement. As a result, the child is now in school on a full-time basis and making progress. Furthermore, the staff have built good links with the school, and there is a good level of communication.

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The care of children

The child’s views are understood, and their rights are promoted through weekly meetings. This is an opportunity to talk with staff about a range of issues. Since the last inspection, there is a more stable and consistent staff team in place that know the child well.

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The care of children

The child benefits from regular sessions with the in-house therapist. She supports staff to understand therapeutic approaches through training. Additionally, she has spoken with staff about adopting a more therapeutic language style. This has given staff the skills to support the child in a therapeutic way and is helping the child to manage their own emotional well-being.

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The care of children

The child has individual plans in place and is making progress in their independence skills, such as personal hygiene and keeping their bedroom tidy. The use of incentives is working well for the child, and they are enjoying being able to choose a range of activities.

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The safety of children

Risk assessments have been changed since the last inspection. The manager has made improvements to make them clearer and ensure that they are up to date and regularly reviewed.

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The safety of children

Staff understand the child’s risks. Due to the high staffing levels, the risk of the child going missing from the home is low. However, the manager must ensure that staff are clear on what action must be taken in the event of a missing-from-home incident. Furthermore, leaders and managers must ensure that all staff understand the roles and responsibilities of safeguarding professionals, including the local authority designated officer. This is a repeat requirement and is restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 3 Staff support the child to manage their behaviour effectively. The use of new incentives charts around the use of electronic devices has seen a reduction in incidents.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The home has seen some changes in the management since the last inspection. There is now a new manager in place who is permanent and suitably experienced. She has recently submitted her application to become registered.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff say the new manager has brought stability into the home, and communication has improved. Staff say the team work well together, and this helps provide a relaxed and family atmosphere.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers ensure that there are sufficient and experienced staff to meet the child’s individual needs. However, the registered person should ensure that staff receive additional resources and training around asthma. A recommendation has been made to address this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Feedback from professionals is positive. One professional said: ‘There is good communication in place, and the staff team always make good use of suggestions I make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers use the findings from internal and external monitoring to improve the progress and experiences of the child. The manager has recently submitted her review of care report and completes regular audits in the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have responded well to the requirements and recommendations made at the home’s last inspection. However, one requirement has not been met and has been restated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 5

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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 protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to ensure—

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person; and

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Requirement Due date

take effective action whenever there is a serious concern about a child’s welfare.

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii)(v)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

This is particularly in relation to ensuring that all staff understand what action to take when a child goes missing from home, and that all staff fully understand the role of the local authority designated officer. 5 May 2023 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 6

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that staff can access appropriate resources to support their training needs. For example, managers should seek out additional information around asthma awareness to enhance staff knowledge and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 7

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Judith Birchall, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2649743 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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