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

Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 1 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 privately run. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 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: 1214270 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/05/2023 Full Good 04/05/2022 Full Good 30/11/2021 Full Good 17/08/2021 Full Inadequate Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved out of the home in a planned way. It was the child’s wish to live with other children closer to their family. This was made possible because of the positive progress the child made when living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child currently living in the home was supported to move in positively. Their move was well planned. The child is settled and view this as their home. The child spoke with the inspector and said that they like living in the home and have a good relationship with the staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

After a prolonged period of not engaging in education, the child is now attending school daily and has secured a place at college to take a course in joinery. The staff have nurtured the child’s ambitions and have bought equipment so they child can further develop their joinery skills at home. The child has made several woodwork items which they have sold, and donated the money they raised to charity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to pursue their interests and engage in fun activities. They have enjoyed zorbing, trips to museums and golfing. The staff have collated these memories into a series of photos for the child to look back on.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Family time has been promoted by staff. One professional praised the staff team for supporting family relationships and the positive impact this had on the child and their parent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is in good health. Their emotional well-being and physical health are promoted, and the child is supported to attend regular appointments. The manager has been tenacious in ensuring that the child’s individual health needs are met.

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

The child is cared for by a stable and consistent staff team. They are confident to share their worries and raise complaints. When complaints have been made, the manager has ensured that the child’s views have been heard and that they have been involved in the process. The child said that because of this, they feel listened to.

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

Staff have a good understanding of the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. There are clear risk plans in place which are individual to the child and regularly reviewed.

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

Positive behaviour is promoted, and the child responds well to rewards, praise and incentives. Staff are calm and nurturing in their approach and as a result there has not been a need to hold the child to keep them safe. Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 4 The child is supported to understand how to stay safe online, the laws around sharing images and the importance of healthy relationships. However, staff have not ensured that the child understands their risks and vulnerabilities regarding criminal exploitation and grooming. This does not support the child in identifying the behaviours of perpetrators and keeping themselves safe.

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

Staff did not have written, signed and delegated authority from the child’s placing authority. As a result, they did not have the appropriate written authority to ensure that their decision-making is in line with their agreed responsibilities. The manager took action to address this during the inspection.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is child centred and aspirational for children. She consistently strives for improvement and is committed to both her own and the staff team’s professional development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There is a comprehensive training programme in place for staff. Staff have attended all mandatory training and specialised courses specific to the child’s individual needs. The manager has also supported the ongoing development of staff through the delivery of workshops during team meetings. This has improved staff practice and supported consistent approaches for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision sessions and appraisals are reflective. Staff are actively encouraged to raise issues and discuss any worries or concerns. Monthly team meetings take place and are well attended. Meetings provide staff with further opportunity to reflect on their practice and discuss the individual needs of the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has completed a review of the quality of care; however, there is a lack of feedback from the child, their family, staff and professionals. This is a missed opportunity to develop the care for children based on the views of others. Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 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 positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour.

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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

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand, in a way that is appropriate according to the child’s age and understanding, personal, sexual and social relationships, and how those relationships can be supportive or harmful;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop the understanding and skills to recognise or withdraw from a damaging, exploitative or harmful relationship. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(vi)(vii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that each child is provided with proactive direct work that is planned based on children’s risks and vulnerabilities. 9 April 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) for each child which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 3 in relation to each child; 9 April 2025 Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 6 are kept up to date;

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Requirement Due date

and are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 36 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that there is an up-to-date delegated authority agreement signed by a representative of the local authority with the authority to delegate these decisions.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must complete a review of the quality of care provided for children (“a quality of care review”) at least once every 6 months.

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Requirement Due date

In order to complete a quality of care review the registered person must establish and maintain a system for monitoring, reviewing and evaluating—

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Requirement Due date

the feedback and opinions of children about the children’s home, its facilities and the quality of care they receive in it.

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Requirement Due date

The system referred to in paragraph (2) must provide for ascertaining and considering the opinions of children, their parents, placing authorities and staff. (Regulation 45 (1) (2)(b) (5))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the quality of care review includes feedback from children, staff, families and professionals. 9 April 2025

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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: 1214270 7

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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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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Melanie Fletcher

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Inspector

Kelly McCurdy, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 1214270 8 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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