Children's Home run by Esland South Limited in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 1 SC425418 Registered provider: Esland South Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is one of a group of privately owned homes run by an independent provider. It offers care for up to four children with complex needs who require specialist support.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, three children were living at the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2020.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 30 October 2023

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/10/2023 Full Good 08/11/2022 Full Good 06/10/2021 Full Good 02/07/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

The inspector saw all the children living at the home and spoke with two of them. Since the last inspection, four children have moved into the home, and four children have moved out.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

All children have made exceptional progress from their starting points, particularly with their education and social skills. Children benefit from long-term stability and permanence. Staff work tirelessly to secure the best possible opportunities for children. Children are proud of their progress and achievements.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children have moved on in a carefully planned way. Staff have created bespoke plans to help children learn about independent living. The staff have successfully supported children in moving on to more independent settings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Managers and staff fully understand the importance of routine and structure for children. As soon as children move to the home, staff actively seek education providers. Two children have remained at their original schools in accordance with their wishes. This has provided them with continuity and stability. Children’s attendance has significantly increased from when they came to live at the home. The staff take an interest in the children’s education. A teacher said, ‘[Name of child] is in the best place to support their future.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have responded swiftly to children’s requests. They have sought clubs and experiences that children enjoy. These include football club, go-karting, running competitions and visiting places of worship. Children have enjoyed holidays with staff. For many of the children, these new experiences have helped develop their confidence and self-worth. Children contribute to their local community and develop a sense of belonging. Staff create memory books for children filled with reminders of special times and achievements at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

For most of the children, this is their first time residing in a children’s home. Staff understand children’s past experiences. They speak lovingly about the children. The staff take their roles in children’s lives very seriously. Staff are unquestionably committed to helping children achieve their ambitions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children develop highly trusting relationships with staff. One child described the staff as ‘inspirational’, while another said the home is ‘perfect’. Staff frequently consult children and consider their wishes and feelings. Caring relationships between staff and children provide children with a strong and secure foundation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Parents and professionals collectively say that the care children receive is excellent. Staff spend time building deep connections with children’s families. The staff travel significant Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 4 distances with children to ensure that they spend meaningful time with family, allowing them to maintain important family relationships.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have created a warm and welcoming home that exudes a family feel. This extends past the decor and reflects how staff interact with children. Children enjoy a pleasant home with spacious communal rooms. However, at times, the pantry is locked without any clear rationale.

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

The staff follow an embedded therapeutic model of support. This approach is threaded into staff practice and evident in children’s records. Playfulness is at the core of the home’s therapeutic model. Staff are skilled at adapting their approach to ensure that children’s needs are met. Children feel understood and appreciate staff input.

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

The specialist therapeutic team offers training to staff. They carry out assessments with children to inform their care. This allows for more personalised care that suits children’s requirements and promotes their progress.

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

Staff advocate firmly for children. Before moving to the home, one child had not received important health support. Staff continued to escalate and challenge professionals to secure the healthcare the child needed. As a result, the child’s symptoms have dramatically reduced and no longer affect their day-to-day life.

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

Staff are creative in their approach to educating children about the risks associated with internet use. Children feel supported and trusted. The children’s understanding of online safety has vastly improved. Children use their devices to help stay in touch with their families and friends in a safe way.

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

On rare occasions, staff hold children to ensure their safety. Holds are only used as a last resort, when absolutely necessary. Staff help children understand why these steps were required. Staff are inquisitive and curious about the challenges children face, and they help them in finding alternative ways to manage their emotions. As a result, children feel safe and settled.

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

Children very rarely go missing from the home. When this happens, staff take appropriate and timely action and look for them. Staff greet the children warmly when they return and enquire about their whereabouts and who they have been with. Children demonstrate that they feel confident speaking with staff and expressing their concerns.

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

Consequences are seldom implemented by staff. When used, consequences are relevant and relate to the child’s behaviour. The home has a strong restorative culture. Staff help children understand how their behaviour affects others and how it could be different. One child said, ‘Staff help me if I make mistakes by thinking about them, why I got things wrong and how I can make them better.’ Children confidently talk to staff about their feelings and behaviours without fear of judgement. Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 5 Concerns relating to staff conduct are managed sensitively and quickly. Collaborative work with social workers and the local authority designated officer ensures that children are kept safe. The manager identifies learning points and addresses these with staff.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The leadership team is exceptionally strong and knowledgeable. The manager is highly skilled. He holds the relevant level 5 qualification and has considerable experience.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager leads by example. Leaders and managers motivate staff to strive for excellence. As a result, children benefit from excellent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The staff team has high aspirations and expectations to provide the best care possible for children. Leaders and managers have created an extremely reflective culture. Staff and children learn from mistakes without fear of judgement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders have created an open culture in which staff feel valued and appreciated in their roles. Since the last inspection, three deputy managers have secured promotions. Their professional development has been fully supported. Staff feel extremely well supported by leaders and managers. The team has regular and effective supervision sessions. Staff benefit from further training and professional discussions to support practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have a particularly good understanding of children’s journeys, along with the support that they need to achieve. As a result, staff feel confident and equipped to perform their roles exceptionally well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers have examples of exceptional practice. The organisation uses these examples as benchmarks in other homes under its ownership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers enjoy spending significant lengths of time with the children. They have participated in several activities with the children. Children appreciate these opportunities to reflect on their day with someone they trust. The manager runs with one child and supports them in entering running competitions. The child relishes this and said that it is the highlight of their day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders and managers take time to investigate children’s complaints and reach the appropriate conclusion. As a result, children feel listened to and validated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Professionals said that children have made significant progress. They said that staff build incredibly positive relationships with external agencies. Staff advocate for the children and encourage local authorities to support exceptional care and a host of opportunities for them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Leaders use highly effective systems for auditing and monitoring records. Leaders and managers can evidence exceptional progress for all children based on their starting points. Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 6 No requirements have been raised following this inspection. The requirement and recommendation raised at the previous inspection have been met. Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 7

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children have access to all shared areas of their home, just as they would in a family home, unless there are specific reasons why this is not appropriate for their needs. In particular, any decisions to restrict access should be based on a rigorous assessment of the individual child’s needs, which should be well recorded and regularly reviewed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, 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: SC425418 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 and 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Samantha Mitchamson

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Inspector

Lexi Mitchell, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC425418 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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