Children's home run by Esland North Limited in Amber Valley

Inspection report for children’s home: SC478991 1 SC478991

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Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is registered to provide care for up to four children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, two children were living in the home. Both children were spoken to and observed during the inspection.

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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: SC478991 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/08/2023 Full Good 21/09/2022 Full Good 17/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness 07/12/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children’s home: SC478991 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand children’s needs well. Children have bespoke support plans which are created in consultation with their multi-agency team. Staff update these plans as the children’s needs change. Staff receive training to reflect the individual needs of the children. This ensures that staff have the skills to support children and keep them safe.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children enjoy holidays and weekly activities. These support children’s overall development and inclusion in their community. One child enjoyed a trip to France and Germany for their birthday. Staff support children to choose their activities using their preferred methods of communication. This helps children to feel valued and their voices to be heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to visit their families. This helps children to feel safe and to enjoy family celebrations. One child was supported to attend a family wedding. Staff work hard to support families to understand children’s needs. This helps children’s relationships with their families to develop. One child is supported to have weekend stays with their family.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have planned moves into and out of their home. These are effective in helping children to feel safe, meet staff and learn about the home. Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home and another child moved out into a supported accommodation. A teacher who shared the manager’s involvement in the planning helped the child to be familiar with staff before moving into the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is comfortable and well maintained. The communal areas and children’s bedrooms are organised to reflect the individual needs of each child. The home has been redecorated, and a new kitchen has been fitted. The manager has a plan for a wall mural to be painted in the dining room and for photos of children to be displayed. The garden is being landscaped to include a designated area for a trampoline.

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

Staff are patient in learning about children’s individual needs. This supports children to develop positive relationships with staff and share their feelings. Staff communicate with all professionals involved regarding their observations of children. This collaborative approach keeps all professionals informed about children’s needs.

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

There are comprehensive support plans. These plans are individualised to each child. This helps staff to understand the support children require. Plans are reviewed and updated regularly. This supports staff to reflect on whether children require further support. This continues to keep children safe. Inspection report for children’s home: SC478991 4 Staff are skilled in understanding children’s communication. This helps children to share their views and to be involved in making decisions about their future care. Staff supported one child to discuss with the social worker their views about supported accommodation. This helped the child to feel listened to and for the right support to be provided.

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

Staff provide children with consistent routines. Staff are creative in supporting children with morning and bedtime routines. This helps children to settle and feel safe. Staff support children to attend school and take part in activities. This develops children’s understanding of wider daily routines.

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

Complaints and allegations are taken seriously. The manager strictly follows their guidance to investigate all concerns. This helps children to feel listened to and remain safe. The manager is proactive in arranging further training for staff if this has been identified by the investigation. This provides children with skilled and safe care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and staff are dedicated to supporting children and keeping them safe. The staff are resilient and strong advocates for children. The manager encourages multi-agency communication and meetings. This means all professionals are kept informed about children’s needs and the support they require.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers understand the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion. Staff receive bespoke training to reflect the individual needs of children. This helps children to receive individualised care and support. Reflective team meetings further encourage staff to explore how equality, diversity and inclusion can be further developed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff speak positively about the support from leaders and managers. Staff practice and development are nurtured through reflective supervision and team meetings. Staff receive individual and team training, which further develops their skills and expertise. This is helping to create an experienced and stable staff team. This helps children to receive safe and nurturing care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have developed consistent monitoring systems. There are strict routines for monitoring and reviewing the safe administration of medication. All staff receive additional training and support in this area when this is required. The manager reviews children’s progress with the staff team. This helps to identify the changing needs of children and their support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations have been made following this inspection. Inspection report for children’s home: SC478991 5

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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: SC478991 6

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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

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC478991 7 and inspects 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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