Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection report for children’s home: 2793818 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 home is privately owned and provides care for up to three children who have experienced social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted in November 2024. The manager is experienced and holds a suitable qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living in the home and contributed to 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

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2793818 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child has moved into the home since it opened and was living there at the time of this inspection. The manager considered the needs of the child and planned the move by meeting them beforehand and arranging a visit, resulting in a smooth transition that was sensitive and welcoming. This practice strengthens relationships between the child and staff by encouraging a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child benefited from continuing the same education placement they had before moving into the home, providing stability and continuity in their learning. They have made considerable progress and their attendance has increased significantly. Their behaviour in school has improved. One professional said, ‘[Name of child] is much calmer and more relaxed. The move to the home has put [name of child] in the best place for their exams.’ This means that the child is now prepared for the next steps in their education and has secured a place at a post-16 college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Health and well-being are promoted well by staff. They ensure that the child is accessing routine health appointments, after a significant gap since their last dental check-up. Key- work sessions continue to educate and support the child’s understanding of personal care. Staff offer a wide range of foods and are supporting the child to consider a broader diet to improve their nutritional intake.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff have provided the child with guidance and education to help them to understand risks. Topics discussed include substance misuse. However, incidents when staff have had concerns that the child may have used substances mean that the manager will need to consider more effective strategies to support the child and educate them around the risk of harm.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported to maintain meaningful relationships through regular visits to their hometown, helping them stay connected to family, friends and their local community. The manager has advocated for the child’s wishes for future care and education, supporting them to have a smooth transition to college. As a result, the child feels well prepared and supported as they move on from the home and transition to college.

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

Staff understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. They work hard to ensure that the child feels safe and protected, and that they know how best to provide support. They consider the child’s past experiences, so their responses are appropriate, and implement boundaries that reflect the child’s needs.

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

Staff understand the child’s behaviours and risks; they implement strategies to support the child, and as a result, the child is kept safe. Risk assessments are live documents Inspection report for children’s home: 2793818 3 that are reviewed regularly or following an incident, ensuring that the approach to mitigating harm and potential risks remains effective.

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

There have been no missing-from-home episodes since the home opened. However, there has been an increase in unauthorised absences when the child has returned late from time with friends. Staff have invested time in getting to know the child’s friends and their carers so they can quickly locate and confirm the child’s whereabouts. This has mitigated the risk of absences escalating and is helping to build stronger relationships with the child.

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

There has been no use of physical intervention. Positive behaviour is consistently promoted and a range of rewards and incentives are used to recognise and celebrate achievements. Incidents in the home are rare and well managed. The manager has clear oversight and uses the information gained to plan themes for future key-work sessions with the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

An experienced manager leads the home. He understands the needs of the child and of the staff team. He has supported the team to embed in their roles in this new home so they can offer high-quality care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Effective monitoring takes place. The manager and responsible individual work in partnership to oversee the home and track the progress of the staff and the child and to ensure maintenance of the physical environment. There is a clear thread between the monitoring of documents and how these are incorporated into development plans for the staff team and the home, to support continued improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers ensure that staff have the right opportunities to develop their skills to enable them to meet the child’s needs and respond with sensitivity. New starters are provided with a clear induction into the home and are paired with experienced members of the team. Child-specific training has been provided to the team. Staff consistently said that they feel supported by the manager and enjoy their roles.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff supervision is regular, reflective and child centred. Supervision records are made available to staff. They contain details of the discussions held and actions set to develop practice. Team meetings take place monthly. They have a clear agenda and are well attended. Additionally, the whole team meets with the clinician for a team around the child meeting each month. This ensures the home’s therapeutic model is continually applied and gives the child consistent boundaries.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is well maintained and decorated to a high standard and provides comfortable spaces for the child to enjoy. The rural setting of the home has been assessed, including the risk of field mice, and pest control is in place. However, the close proximity of surrounding arable farmland needs further consideration to reduce the risks of pests coming into the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2793818 4

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are offered advice, support and guidance on health and well-being to change negative behaviours in key areas such as drugs. In particular, strategies used to reduce substance misuse risks should be effective. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home’s Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 35, paragraph 7.18)  The registered person should ensure that provider comply with relevant health and safety legislation. This relates to the home’s rural location and increased risk of pests entering the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home’s Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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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: 2793818 5

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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

Joanne Hawkins, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2793818 6 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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