Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Derby

Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 1 SC478986 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

This home is privately owned and provides care for children aged between eight and 18 years with social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties. The home can offer care provision for up to five children, over two sites. The accommodation comprises of the main house and a separate lodge. The main house can accommodate up to four children and the lodge can accommodate one child.

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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

Overall judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

05/04/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 13/07/2021 Full Good 08/05/2019 Full Good 04/09/2018 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are benefiting from a newly refurbished home. The determination of leaders and managers has ensured that much of the home and lodge have now been redecorated and essential repairs have been carried out. The upgrading of furniture has created a cosy feel, and work is continuing to ensure that standards do not deteriorate in the future. Managers and staff understand how important the presentation of the home is to make children feel welcome and valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff help children to form strong bonds even where they struggle to trust adults. Children speak to staff about a range of important issues and learn how to accept advice and guidance. Staff and leaders have a particular strength in caring for children from diverse backgrounds. They help children to understand their identities and feel positive about themselves. Children who have left the home keep in touch to share their news, which is testament to the relationships that they build with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, children make good progress and maintain good health. One child’s journey has been particularly successful. He has learned how to manage his feelings in healthier ways, resumed his education, and is currently completing trials for a football team. These are significant achievements, which have changed the direction of this child’s life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff support children to spend time with their families. This enables children to maintain important relationships. One child is in the process of moving home. This has been well planned by the team, who always prioritise children’s relationships with families. They know that this is important for children’s future stability and security.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The staff team prioritises education. Children attend a formal provision or have a tutor at home. Where children struggle with attendance, the manager and staff support them as much as possible, devising bespoke timetables to maximise their learning. This includes providing learning opportunities through a wide range of activities based on their interests. In addition, children’s meetings include discussions about world events, which encourage children to think about politics and social affairs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children know how to make complaints, and managers respond to these well. They communicate clearly with children about each stage of the process and ensure that they have a record of the outcome. Children are informed of their right to appeal any decisions that they are unhappy about. Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 4

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

Leaders and managers have addressed previous concerns raised in relation to safeguarding since the last full inspection. There are new systems in place, which have increased children’s safety. The recording of incidents and risk management plans has improved considerably. There has been one significant incident where there was a gap in recording, but managers are addressing this to ensure that it does not happen in the future.

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

One child has been involved in some significant incidents where he was at increased risk of harm. The seriousness of the incidents has prompted a re-evaluation of the level and types of risk that can be managed safely in the home. Leaders and managers have spent time reflecting on children’s experiences, the location of the home, and the skills of the staff team. This process has provided clarity about the strengths and limitations in relation to risk management. As a result, decisions about children moving in to the home are carefully considered to ensure that staff feel confident about keeping children safe.

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

The in-house therapist has helped staff to develop therapeutic approaches to help children manage their feelings. This has helped children to reduce self-injurious behaviour and to minimise the use of physical interventions. When interventions have been used, children and staff are well supported after the event.

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

The managers and staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities well, and practice is transparent when concerns are raised by or about children. Allegations are investigated in a timely way and the home shares information with the relevant professionals, with outcomes recorded clearly.

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

The manager and staff provide a well-coordinated response when children are missing from home. This has been a particular issue for one child who was at risk of exploitation. Staff work tirelessly to find children and return them home safely. They liaise closely with relevant agencies and work hard to reduce risks of exploitation.

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

Staff receive training about internet safety. However, not all staff have a full understanding of risks associated with gaming. This knowledge is important to keep children of all ages safe from exploitation and bullying when they are online.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have worked together to effect change since the last full inspection. They have met the requirements and recommendations from that inspection and continue to make improvements to develop the home. Staff morale and motivation have increased considerably. Managers have also made important decisions to make practice safer. In many ways, the home is beginning a ‘fresh start’ and there is a strong commitment to getting care right for children. Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 5 Managers have raised their expectations in terms of staff performance. They have increased their confidence in addressing areas of practice that need to improve. Leaders and managers make good use of team meetings, staff supervision and disciplinary processes to address any concerns in a timely way. This increased accountability has improved the quality of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have recruited a diverse staff team, who receive regular supervision. New staff are well inducted with good support. Staff enjoy spending time together and have attended some events recently that have helped to build the team morale. Staff say that there is a new enthusiasm emerging within the home, which is creating a positive environment for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are benefiting from relevant training, enabling them to meet children’s needs. Managers recognise that now this is in place, it will be important to facilitate opportunities for staff to learn how to apply their knowledge and training to a range of situations and contexts. This will be important when caring for children of different ages and backgrounds.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders, managers and staff welcome children to the home sensitively. Transitions are well thought out to help children to become familiar with the home before they move in. When children leave the home, endings are managed well. This has been challenging when endings have been unplanned. However, the manager works flexibly when required to meet the needs of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager continues to hold high aspirations for children, and he has worked effectively with other agencies to ensure that children achieve their desired outcomes where possible. This gives children a strong message that they are valued and have influence over their future plans. Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff have the knowledge and skills to recognise and be alert for any signs that might indicate a child is in any way at risk of harm. The registered person should ensure that skills in safeguarding are gained, refreshed and recorded in the home’s workforce plan. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 43 paragraph 9.12)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should keep all children’s case records (regulation 36) up and signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 62 paragraph 14.3) Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 7

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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 for children’s home: SC478986 8

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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 DE56 0RN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Richard Matthews

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Inspector

Laura Walker, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC478986 9 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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