Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 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

The home is registered to provide care for one child who may have social and emotional difficulties. The home is privately owned and managed.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager in post has submitted an application to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit to monitor compliance notices that were served under regulation 12, the protection of children standard, and regulation 13, the leadership and management standard, following the full inspection on 22 March 2023.

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This monitoring visit

At the time of this monitoring visit, there was no child living at the home. However, despite the absence of a child, the manager and staff demonstrated adherence to the compliance steps. This includes reflecting on lessons learned from the failings previously identified.

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This monitoring visit

The manager showed a clear understanding of their responsibilities regarding safeguarding and child protection, even in the absence of children. This is supported by robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring that the necessary measures are ready for implementation once a child is placed in the home.

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This monitoring visit

Staff members have received appropriate training on safeguarding and are familiar with the home’s child-protection policies.

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This monitoring visit

Adequate staffing levels have been maintained, even in the absence of children, to ensure that appropriate supervision and care will be provided when a child moves into the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 2 The home environment is maintained to a good standard throughout. This includes the child’s bedroom being appropriately furnished with storage facilities for personal belongings.

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This monitoring visit

Regular risk assessments have been conducted to identify and mitigate potential hazards and risks within the premises and the local area.

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This monitoring visit

Staff members receive appropriate training to enhance their skills and knowledge in preparation for supporting children. Continuous professional development opportunities are provided to staff to ensure their ongoing professional growth.

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This monitoring visit

Comprehensive records have been created and maintained, documenting relevant information related to the operation of the children’s home. These records include policies, procedures, staff training records, risk assessments, and other documentation necessary for the smooth operation of the home and the provision of care to a child once placed.

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This monitoring visit

Following this monitoring visit, a case review was held on 19 June 2023, where it was agreed that the provider has met the actions detailed in the compliance notices. The previous requirements made at the last inspection were not considered at this visit and have been included in this report. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

22/03/2023 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 4

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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 with the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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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

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

manage and review the placement of each child in the home; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(ii)(c)) 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile in relation to the children’s home a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the matters listed in Schedule 1.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must ensure that the home is at all times conducted in a manner which is consistent with its statement of purpose. (Regulation 16 (1) (5)) 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which— 9 June 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 5 include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child;

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Requirement Due date

in cases not falling within sub-paragraph (a), for 75 years from the child’s date of birth;

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Requirement Due date

securely in the children’s home during the period when the child to whom the case records relate is accommodated there; and

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Requirement Due date

in a secure place after the child has ceased to be accommodated in the home. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b) (2)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify HMCI and each other relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child which the registered person considers to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the home or a person working there;

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Requirement Due date

a child protection enquiry involving a child—

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry); or

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40 (4)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)) 9 June 2023

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children’s home at least once each month.

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Requirement Due date

When the independent person is carrying out a visit, the registered person must help the independent person— 9 June 2023 Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 6 if they consent, to interview in private such of the children, their parents, relatives and persons working at the home as the independent person requires; and to inspect the premises of the home and such of the home’s records (except for a child’s case records, unless the child and the child’s placing authority consent) as the independent person requires. A visit by the independent person to the home may be unannounced.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person must produce a report about a visit (“the independent person’s report”) which sets out, in particular, the independent person’s opinion as to whether— children are effectively safeguarded; and

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Requirement Due date

the conduct of the home promotes children’s well-being.

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Requirement Due date

The independent person’s report may recommend actions that the registered person may take in relation to the home and timescales within which the registered person must consider whether or not to take those actions. (Regulation 44 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3) (4)(a)(b) (5))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children live in a homely environment. Specifically, ensure that the home is clean and well maintained. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)  The registered person should ensure that managers and staff are aware of the local offer setting out the support available for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 26, paragraph 5.4)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 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: Esland Ltd, Suite 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Jennifer Quest, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: 2649739 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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