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

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Information about this children’s home

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

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in December 2008. The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2021 and is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

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

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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: good

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good

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

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/03/2023 Full Good 28/07/2021 Full Good 07/10/2019 Full Good 15/07/2019 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children's home: SC386134 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children living in this home consistently make good progress. They enjoy enriching experiences and form strong relationships with staff. The staff members genuinely care and have high aspirations for children. They create an environment that feels like a loving family home and nurturing atmosphere for children. One child said, ‘Staff are the best.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s school attendance is excellent. Staff have high aspirations for the children, and they work collaboratively with schools to maximise children’s educational achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

If children make a mistake, staff help them to learn how to make better choices by using consequences. However, consequences are not always restorative. This means that children’s opportunities to learn how their behaviour affects others are limited.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s complaints and allegations are always taken seriously. There is a thorough response. The registered manager works closely with the child and safeguarding professionals. The registered manager advocates directly on behalf of children and meets with them to help them to understand the outcome of their complaint. This ensures that children feel listened to and are kept safe while investigations are carried out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The registered manager has developed a new independence and life-skills booklet. This gives a clear list of skills children need to develop so that they can be more independent. Staff support children in developing these skills. This means that children gain confidence in areas such as shopping, budgeting and independent travel.

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

Children say that they feel safe. All staff undertake safeguarding training that helps them to identify concerns such as exploitation or online abuse. Staff know how to report concerns, and assessments of risk are clear. Additionally, each child has a detailed therapeutic risk assessment. Children’s risk assessments are reviewed regularly and discussed in team meetings. This provides staff with clear direction on how to keep children safe.

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

Staff ensure that there are consistent expectations and boundaries. Children are supported to understand the reasons why boundaries are needed, and staff actively encourage them to be involved in setting them.

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

Staff have access to children’s social media accounts in order to complete regular checks. They respond if there are concerns, and they help children understand the Inspection report for children's home: SC386134 4 risks posed by the internet. This is helping children to understand the risks they may face and to keep safe.

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

Staff respond appropriately to incidents, and these are well managed. They use risk assessments to help them to keep children safe. Staff undertake ongoing work with children to help reduce the risks, and there is clear management oversight of each incident. Significant incidents are shared with the appropriate authorities to support children and protect them from harm.

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

Instances of children going missing from the home are very rare. On one occasion a child left the home during the night. Staff acted promptly to locate the child and ensured their safe return. This was not a known behaviour of the child, and their risk assessment was updated following the incident.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager ensures that appropriate plans for children are in place and kept under review. The plans identify children’s needs and are understood by staff. The registered manager works proactively with other professionals to build positive working relationships. This enables the manager to advocate for children and challenge decisions when they are not in the best interests of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Team meetings are held regularly. Staff are given the opportunity to talk about children’s needs and refresh their knowledge around policies, procedures and the regulations. Staff contribute to the agenda and are able to reflect on their practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is positive. There is a stable staff team that provides consistency and stability to meet children’s needs. Staff are dedicated, child-focused and committed. They said that they feel supported by the registered manager.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A therapist, independent from the home, works regularly with the staff team. Individual and group support is given to staff and the registered manager. The emphasis is on the lived experience of the child to understand their behaviours.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say they can talk to the registered manager and responsible individual about anything and know that they will be listened to. The registered manager aims to develop all staff to a senior level. This helps staff to feel supported and valued.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Partnership work with external agencies is very positive. During this inspection, professionals commended the registered manager and staff on their communication and the excellent quality of care provided. Inspection report for children's home: SC386134 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, The 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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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that any consequences used to address poor behaviour should be restorative in nature, to help children recognise the impact of their behaviour on themselves, other children, the staff caring for them and the wider community. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 46, paragraph 9.38)

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland South Limited

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Children’s home details

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

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Inspector

Maud Pipim-Addo, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC386134 7 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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