Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 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 one of several homes owned by a private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection. They spoke to the inspector about their experience of living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager’s post has been vacant since 23 October 2023. There is an interim manager currently in post. A new, permanent manager has recently been appointed and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 26 March 2024

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2648208 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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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, an interim manager has been providing the team with leadership and guidance. A new, permanent manager has recently been appointed and there is a plan in place to support the transition between managers.

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Findings from the inspection

The interim manager has introduced a number of changes that have helped the child to make progress. Relationships between the child and staff are positive, and the child likes to spend time with them.

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Findings from the inspection

The interim manager has ensured that the child’s wishes and feelings are heard. The child says that they, ‘Feel listened to by all the staff’. This ensures that the child feels included and is involved in decisions about their care.

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Findings from the inspection

The child living at the home is safeguarded effectively. Since the last inspection, the number of incidents in the home has reduced. When incidents do occur, staff know how to respond. They undertake training specific to the needs of the child and can talk confidently to the child about issues that may be affecting them. This helps the child to understand risks they may be exposed to in their peer groups, in the community and online and helps them to make safer choices.

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Findings from the inspection

The child benefits from weekly sessions at a therapy farm. This is something the child enjoys and it helps them to develop key communication and practical skills. A tutor is arranged to attend the home to provide education for the rest of the week. However, the tutor has not managed to engage the child in education sessions effectively. The manager and staff have not successfully addressed the barriers that prevent the child from accessing this education. Consequently, the child is not accessing their education. This limits the child’s educational achievements and does not support them to develop vital skills or knowledge in core subjects.

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Findings from the inspection

The interim manager is visible in the home. Staff say this has helped them to feel supported and has had a positive impact on team morale. Staff supervision and team meetings are held regularly and enable the team to share important information about the child and celebrate successes. This ensures that the child is living in a child-focused and positive environment.

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Findings from the inspection

The home is modern and well furnished. New wardrobes and a vanity unit were being fitted in the child’s bedroom during the inspection. This ensures that the child has a homely environment, where they can relax and feel comfortable.

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Findings from the inspection

The child engages in positive activities outside of the home. However, they have limited face-to-face interaction with peers their own age. This prevents the child from developing important social skills and leaves them feeling isolated. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 3 Staff record the child’s journey through written records and, more recently, through photos. However, the quality of the records is inconsistent between staff, as they are not always child-focused. This means there may be missed opportunities for the child to reflect on their journey and progress in the future.

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Findings from the inspection

The interim manager has improved the management oversight of the home. This has enabled her to develop a clearer understanding of patterns and trends, including opportunities for development of the team. This has a positive impact on improving staff practice and their care of the child. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

21/06/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 01/11/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 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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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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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

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

understand the barriers to learning that each child may face and take appropriate action to help the child to overcome any such barriers;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training and employment;

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Requirement Due date

promote opportunities for each child to learn informally;

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Requirement Due date

maintain regular contact with each child’s education and training provider, including engaging with the provider and the placing authority to support the child’s education and training and to maximise the child’s achievement;

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Requirement Due date

raise any need for further assessment or specialist provision in relation to a child with the child’s education or training provider and the child’s placing authority;

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Requirement Due date

help a child who is excluded from school, or who is of compulsory school age but not attending school, to access 22 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 6 educational and training support throughout the period of exclusion or non-attendance and to return to school as soon as possible;

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Requirement Due date

help each child who is above compulsory school age to participate in further education, training or employment and to prepare for future care, education or employment;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to attend education or training in accordance with the expectations in the child’s relevant plans; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii)(ix)(x)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is a clear educational plan in place for the child when they are not attending a formal setting. Staff must be supported to explore strategies to overcome barriers to the child engaging in education.

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Requirement Due date

The enjoyment and achievement standard is that children take part in and benefit from a variety of activities that meet their needs and develop and reflect their creative, cultural, intellectual, physical and social interests and skills.

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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

develop the child’s interests and hobbies;

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Requirement Due date

participate in activities that the child enjoys and which meet and expand the child’s interests and preferences; and

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Requirement Due date

make a positive contribution to the home and the wider community; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to a range of activities that enable the child to pursue the child’s interests and hobbies. (Regulation 9 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the child is supported to engage in positive, age-appropriate peer relationships. 22 May 2024 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the home’s records on each child represent a significant contribution to their life history. Staff should record information in a way that is consistently child-centred, and children should be supported to understand the nature of the records and how to access them. Staff should understand their important role in encouraging the child to reflect on and understand their history, according to their age and understanding. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.5). Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 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: Suite 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2648208 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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