Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738634 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 is privately owned. The home is registered to provide care for one child. At the time of inspection one child lived at the home.

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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: 2738634 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

The child continues to make progress whilst living at the home. This includes a better understanding of their emotions and responses. Staff are proud of the child’s achievements. The child’s views are sought regularly, with staff work collectively with the child to make plans for the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff encourage the child to personalise their bedroom and other areas in the home. The child enjoys gardening with staff and celebrating life events such as their birthday. Although the home is welcoming, there are several stains on the communal carpet areas which need cleaning.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support the child to nurture relationships with those that are important to them. Distance is not seen as a barrier and staff understand the importance of the child seeing people in person. Staff ensure that the child enjoys holidays and trips. Staff encourage the child to build on their own identity through interests and hobbies. This has resulted in the child’s confidence developing.

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Findings from the inspection

The child is encouraged to create friendships. To support this the child has attended a sports day event with other children living in care. Following this the child has requested monthly meals with children from another home which has been organised. This supports the child’s social circle to grow.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff create an environment where the child feels able to talk openly about past and present events. This supports the child to disclose any worries. Staff ensure the child understands if information needs to be shared. Staff liaise with relevant professionals to ensure that they share important information with those who need to know.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond to incidents of self-injurious behaviour well. The child feels able to tell staff if they have harmed themselves or if they feel low in mood. Staff provide first aid or seek medical advice if required. On one occasion staff did not check straight away if the child had any other items that they could harm themselves with. On this occasion however the impact on the child was minimal.

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Findings from the inspection

If concerns arise when the child is in public, staff interject and create safety. On one occasion, staff did not record how they tried to discourage the child from speaking to an older teen. Leaders and managers continue to develop the staff’s confidence of assessing risk in the moment and their recording skills. Staff are confident in speaking with the child about how to make positive decisions and keep themself safe. Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738634 3 Leaders act quickly if concerns are raised regarding staff practice. They liaise appropriately with agencies and devise plans to rectify any issues. The manager and staff welcome constructive feedback from their seniors. Although there has been some uncertainty within the home since the last inspection, staff have felt supported throughout. One member of staff stated that they ‘come to work really happy'.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers have consistent oversight of the home. Through this they highlight areas of development for the team. For example, the need for staff to not only record fridge temperatures but to understand the rationale for this. At present staff do not alert the appropriate person if fridge temperatures are outside of the recommended level.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff have regular reflective discussions with leaders and managers. This is further supported by group discussions as a team to make continued improvements to the quality of care staff provide children.

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Findings from the inspection

At the last inspection three requirements were set. The manager has been able to evidence that they have met two of these. The two recommendations have also been met. The leaders and manager have been able to show plans of how they are working towards the outstanding requirement. This relates to the protection of children standard and will be evaluated at the next inspection.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

07/05/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738634 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 within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is repeated.

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

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Requirement Due date

This relates to staff assessing possible risks to children as and when they arise and acting accordingly to reduce the risk. 15 October 2024

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Recommendations

 The registered manager should ensure that the home homes environment is homely and nurturing. This includes ensuring that carpets are free from stains. It also relates to ensuring that staff understand what temperature fridges should be and they alert those necessary if temperatures are outside of the recommended range. ('Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards, page 15, paragraph 3.9). Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738634 5

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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: Kathleen McGowan

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Inspector

Ellen Monk, social care inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: 2738634 6 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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