Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately owned home that provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties and/or learning disabilities. The home registered in October 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered manager resigned in November 2024. There was no manager in post at the time of the inspection. The inspection was led by the deputy manager and the responsible individual for the home.

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Information about this children’s home

The home offers short-term placements of 12 weeks to children to assess their care needs before they move to longer-term care arrangements. At the time of this inspection, one child was living in the home. The inspector spoke to the child.

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Inspection date: 13 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 13 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 2 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’. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 3

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers took effective action in response to the shortfalls raised at the last inspection. As a result, all of the requirements raised at the last inspection have been met. There have been no new requirements or recommendations made as a result of this inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, three children have moved into the home and four children have moved out. The two children living at the home during the last inspection both moved on as their needs could not be met. Children’s moves into the home are well planned. The manager shares information about the home with children before they move. As a result, these experiences are positive.

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Findings from the inspection

Children live in a home that is warm and welcoming. They benefit from the support of staff who know them well. The child currently living at the home was spoken with and said that they are happy at the home. The child said that they feel safe and have people they can speak to.

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Findings from the inspection

Children benefit from a range of activities and opportunities to explore their interests. Activities are tailored to children’s interests and enhance their experiences of living at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff support children to stay in touch with people who are important to them. A child’s family member described good communication with staff who keep them well informed.

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Findings from the inspection

The deputy manager completes comprehensive evaluations after all incidents. Evaluations identify learning, and learning is transferred into children’s plans. Children’s plans and risk assessments provide staff with clear guidance on the steps they need to take to keep them safe.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are trained in how to de-escalate incidents. They demonstrate good understanding of how to provide child-centred care, and incidents are well managed. For some children, incidents substantially reduced as a result of their time at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical intervention is used rarely and only as a last resort. When physical intervention has been used it is always the least restrictive. Children and staff are always spoken with after incidents and given opportunities to talk about their experience. The manager completes evaluations of these discussions and identifies learning. This helps to ensure that practice is continually improving and incidents are well managed. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 4 Staff focus on rewarding positive behaviour, and the use of negative consequences is rare. When consequences are used, these are proportionate, and records are clear and detailed. The deputy manager has good oversight of consequences and considers whether these are effective for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager resigned from post in November 2024 and left the organisation. The deputy manager took over leading the home with the support of the responsible individual. A new manager has recently been appointed. However, they have not yet started at the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers completed comprehensive action planning following the last inspection and made changes to strengthen and develop the staff team and the care that children receive.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers reviewed the recruitment processes for the home and introduced scenario-based interview questions. Training has also been reviewed and further training has been introduced that is specific to the assessment centre. This helps to ensure that children are supported by staff who are skilled in their roles and understand how to provide good quality care.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from regular formal supervision sessions that include reflection on practice. Staff say that they feel well supported.

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Findings from the inspection

Professionals describe good communication and say that they are kept well informed by leaders and managers at the home. Children benefit from good multi-agency professional working. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 5

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

04/06/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 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: Suites 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Laura Norcop, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2734020 7 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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