Children's home run by Esland South Limited in Nottingham

Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 1 SC024089

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Registered provider: Esland South Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This privately owned home is registered to provide care for up to three children who have learning disabilities and/or experience social and emotional difficulties. Two children were living in the home at the time of the inspection and were spoken to by the inspector.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager has been in post since 2 November 2023.

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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: SC024089 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/03/2024 Full Good 16/08/2022 Full Good 23/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 02/06/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy nurturing relationships with staff, who understand their individual needs well. Staff interact with children with humour, respect and warmth and there is a sense of fun in day-to-day interactions. These relationships have helped children make progress from their starting points, whether this be growing in self-confidence or managing difficult emotions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported with the things they enjoy, such as spending time with friends, cooking and going on trips to theme parks. They are encouraged to try new experiences and to build their independence skills at a pace that is right for them. One child has recently started attending police cadets and another has their own pet cat which they are responsible for caring for.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of education and learning. They work with children and education colleagues to promote this, and make alternative plans if children are not able to attend school. This has helped children to make progress in their education, such as making a successful start to secondary school and engaging with tuition.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s important relationships are supported. Staff help children to stay in touch and have regular time with family members. Staff work with children, parents where possible, and the placing authority to review plans in line with children’s changing needs. This helps children’s sense of identity and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved on from the home since the last inspection. The manager and staff worked proactively alongside other professionals to find the right placement and share their knowledge of the child to make this move as positive as possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s views are valued. Staff help children to express their views and involve them in decisions about their home and their plans. This is achieved through ad-hoc discussions, key-work sessions and regular children’s meetings. Both children have been supported to get an independent advocate. This has helped children to feel valued and involved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is warm, comfortable and decorated in a child-friendly way. Photos, children’s artwork and details of achievements are displayed, and children’s rooms are appropriately personalised. Since the last inspection, a new kitchen has been fitted in the home. However, plans to refurbish the two children’s bathrooms have been delayed. One of these clearly needs refurbishment.

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

Staff take appropriate action and communicate well with partner agencies when they are concerned about children’s safety. Children’s risk management and safety plans are Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 4 comprehensive and regularly updated to take account of changing needs. This helps children to be safe.

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

There was a significant safeguarding incident earlier in the year. Staff worked well with local police to ensure the safety of the children. Staff were persistent in their efforts to consistently encourage the children to make safe choices. Changes were made to the children’s safety plans after this and there has not been a recurrence. This demonstrates a positive impact on children’s safety.

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

Staff work hard to try and understand what is wrong when children are upset or distressed. They de-escalate concerning behaviours using the techniques outlined in children’s plans and the home’s statement of purpose. Physical interventions are rarely used and, if used, they are minimal and proportionate. There is strong management oversight. Timely conversations are held with the child and with staff involved. This supports reflection and learning for children in managing their emotions and supports staff with how they help children in distress.

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

Children rarely go missing from the home. Staff understand what to do if this happens and each child has a clear and up-to-date missing-from-home protocol. Since the last inspection, there has been one incident when a child was missing from home. Staff responded well to this. One child does sometimes leave the home when upset. Staff have a good understanding of the action to take when this happens and follow protocols to ensure that the child is safe.

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

The manager and organisation carry out a range of safer recruitment checks before new staff start working in the home. However, it is not clearly recorded that original copies of Disclosure and Baring Service (DBS) certificates, identity documents and qualifications have been seen. Therefore, it is not always possible for the manager to verify that these checks have been completed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dedicated to her role and is enthusiastic about the children and their progress. She has an effective understanding of the children and of the needs and strengths of the home. She is aspirational for both. Staff describe the registered manager and other senior managers as available and involved. This helps promote a supportive child-focused culture.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Since the last inspection, several new staff have started work in the home. The registered manager recognises the importance of minimising change for children and of building a settled team. Good progress is being made in the development of the staff. There has been very little use of agency staff. The manager ensures that new staff are always paired up with experienced staff to provide support and guidance where needed. This has helped children to receive consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff are positive about their roles, support and training. They receive regular one-to-one supervision sessions and appraisals in line with company policy. Regular team meetings Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 5 are bolstered by team around the child meetings facilitated by the team’s clinician. These provide constructive forums to consider children’s needs, coordinate approaches and reflect on practice. The registered manager has good oversight of training and qualifications to ensure that staff are up to date with their training and that any delays are addressed. This helps to ensure that children receive care from skilled and resilient staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager understands the value of fostering good working relationships with partner agencies and how this benefits children. She has been instrumental in making links with local police and arranging an event that included joint training for staff and educational activities for children. This helped forge improved relationships between agencies and supported children to understand how the police can help keep them safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Managers have effective systems in place to monitor and review the home. This includes monthly visits by an independent person, regular audits by managers and a six-monthly quality of care review. However, there is not a clear system in place to seek feedback from parents to inform the six-monthly review. This is a missed opportunity for the registered manager to consider parental views on the quality of care their children receive. Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 6

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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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children’s home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that original copies of DBS certificates, identity documents and qualifications are seen, and a record is kept of this. 1 January 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all areas of the home are well kept, and that any redecoration or refurbishment needed is carried out in a timely way. In particular, ensure that the refurbishment of the children’s bathrooms is progressed without further delay. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 33, paragraph 7.3)  The registered person should ensure that parental feedback is sought, where appropriate, when reviewing the quality of care provided to children. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 64, paragraph 15.2) Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 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: SC024089 8

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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

Jacob Robson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC024089 9 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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