Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may display complex behaviours because of their experiences. The home offers short- term placements of 12 weeks to assess children’s care needs before they move to long- term care arrangements.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

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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: 2688829 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

11/04/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 11 children have moved into the home and 11 children have moved out. All children have made progress, and for some children this is exceptional. One child experienced an unplanned ending as staff could not meet their needs. Despite the unplanned ending, the manager ensured that a report was shared with other professionals with details to inform the child’s future care.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The inspector spoke with both children living in the home, for one child this was brief. Children were observed to be happy and settled and benefit from the support of staff who know them well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. Staff put photos of children and children’s artwork on display. High-quality soft furnishings contribute to a nurturing home environment. As a result, children have a sense of belonging and feel valued in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff prioritise education, and all children have access to structured tuition at the home. Children’s work is recognised through accredited certificates. Supporting children to engage with structured education develops their knowledge and establishes positive routines. Celebrating children’s achievements helps to inspire enjoyment of learning.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to stay in touch with people who are important to them. The manager and staff foster positive relationships with children’s families, and children’s families provide them with positive feedback. One child’s family sent flowers to the team as thanks for the support that they have received.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children benefit from a range of activities and opportunities to explore their interests. Adventurous activities, such as climbing and caving, are regularly on offer and help children to develop confidence and experience excitement safely under the guidance of experienced and qualified staff.

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

Children benefit from well-planned one-to-one discussions which develop their understanding of risk. Discussions are focused and individualised to children’s needs. As a result of the work carried out with one child, the conditions of an offending order have been met, and the child no longer needs intervention from an external service. This has had a substantial positive impact for the child and their future.

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

Staff and managers are skilled at identifying indicators of risk and respond swiftly to understand and address concerns. The manager made a ‘Prevent’ duty referral for a child after picking up on signs that they were at risk online. A professional commented that the work staff have carried out with the child about this has been brilliant. Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 4 Children’s plans and risk assessments are clear and detailed. They provide staff with clear guidance on the steps they need to take to keep children safe.

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

Staff receive training on how to de-escalate incidents, and physical intervention is used only as a last resort to keep children safe. However, the practice of restricting a child’s movements around the home at night had not been agreed with the child’s local authority and was not reflected in the child’s plans. This was identified at the inspection and the manager took immediate action to suspend the measure.

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

Staff are spoken to after incidents and the manager carries out comprehensive evaluations that identify learning. This helps to ensure that practice is continually developing. However, records relating to incidents and the discussions that take place with staff are not always clear. This is a recording issue and does not currently affect children. The manager is aware that recording is an area for development.

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

A clinical team carries out assessments of children’s needs and produces reports that provide professionals with clear recommendations for children’s future care needs. The clinical team also leads reflective sessions with staff and provides training and guidance on strategies to support children. Children benefit from having their needs understood and receiving individualised care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is led by a dedicated manager who is aspirational for the types of experiences that she wants for children at the home. She is highly reflective and continually looking for ways that she can improve the home and the quality of care that children receive. She drives progress and holds children’s best interests at the centre of her decision- making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development for staff and the home. She sets out objectives in clear development plans that are regularly reviewed and reflect good progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager fosters positive relationships with external professionals and ensures that information-sharing is effective. Professionals describe ‘excellent’ communication and are unanimously positive about the manager and the quality of care. Good multi-agency working helps to ensure that children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from supervision sessions that are reflective and include clear targets. Staff say that they feel well supported. However, supervision sessions have not always taken place in line with the home’s policy.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff benefit from a clear and comprehensive induction into the home. The induction is complemented by a range of training. Managers carried out an evaluation of training and made changes to ensure that it is individualised to the needs of children and staff. As a result, staff are skilled and understand their roles and responsibilities well. Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 5 Staff benefit from regular reflective team meetings and research-informed workshops that help them to build on their skills. For example, staff learned about dissociation during one workshop. The learning included practical activities that helped staff to understand children’s experiences. Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 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 quality and purpose of care standard is that children receive care from staff who—

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Requirement Due date

understand the children’s home’s overall aims and the outcomes it seeks to achieve for children;

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Requirement Due date

use this understanding to deliver care that meets children’s needs and supports them to fulfil their potential.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

understand and apply the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

provide personalised care that meets each child’s needs, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans, taking account of the child’s background;

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Requirement Due date

make decisions about the day-to-day arrangements for each child, in accordance with the child’s relevant plans, which give the child an appropriate degree of freedom and choice. (Regulation 6 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(iv)(ix))

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Requirement Due date

This relates to ensuring that the use of any restrictive practice is agreed and recorded in relevant plans. 8 April 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they have systems in place so that all staff, including the manager, receive supervision of their practice in line with the organisation’s policies. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)  The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 7 recording. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

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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: 2688829 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: Esland Limited, Suites 1 and 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Laura Norcop, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2688829 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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