Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited

p.1

Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned by a private company. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in December 2024 and is suitably experienced. He is currently working towards the relevant qualification.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: not previously inspected

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 2

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The child spoke to the inspector during the inspection. Since the home was registered, one child has left the home. This inspection focused on the experiences of both children.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to develop positive and emotionally warm relationships. The child gave the staff ‘nine out of 10’ and said that they liked the diversity of the staff, sharing examples of the different activities and conversations they enjoy. This personalised care creates a nurturing and inclusive environment, which helps the child to feel valued and safer.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are encouraged by staff to follow positive routines that promote school attendance. Staff take pride in ensuring that children are well prepared for the school day. This consistent support provides children with positive role models and encourages their future aspirations. For example, the child said that they hope to support children living in residential care after leaving school. A headteacher said that the manager and staff are supportive of the child’s education.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff actively support children to take part in different activities. These activities include swimming, playing pool, hiking and visiting an animal centre, where they enjoy walking the dogs. Staff encourage children to take part in fundraising events for charity. For example, one child completed a sponsored swim to raise money for a national charity. These experiences help to develop children’s confidence, independence and understanding of community responsibilities.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to understand their health needs. For example, after expressing anxiety about attending the dentist, one child was supported by staff to attend the appointment. As a result, the child now confidently attends all health appointments. Staff are attentive in supporting children to develop their personal care. This support is helping children to understand their physical development and to feel more confident.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff ensure that the home environment is comfortable and welcoming for children. The separate lounge and entertainment room provide children with opportunities to relax. Staff support children to personalise their bedroom. The location of the home enables children to enjoy outdoor activities, which supports their physical and emotional well-being.

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children to move into and out of the home effectively. When children experience difficulties, the manager and staff are attentive in managing their anxieties. They work together with external professionals to plan any moves out of Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 3 the home. The manager recognises the importance of continuing to develop well- planned moves for children.

p.2

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

Children receive well-informed care from staff who understand children’s needs and vulnerabilities. Staff consult regularly with the home’s clinical team to create and review children’s personalised support plans. Children are supported to explore their views and feelings, which helps them feel confident in the adults caring for them.

p.3

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

Staff prioritise developing trusting relationships with children, which skilfully avoids the need to use physical intervention. In addition, this approach creates a nurturing and safe living environment where children do not go missing from their home. Staff understand the risks that children may experience in their community. For example, the manager and staff are supporting one child to understand how to use a mobile phone and the internet safely.

p.3

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

The manager takes the safe administration of medication seriously. Since the home was registered, there has been one medication error involving a non-prescribed medication. The manager thoroughly investigated this and promptly arranged additional training for the team of staff. As a result of this approach, no further difficulties have been identified, and safe medication practices have been maintained.

p.3

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

When children raise concerns and allegations, these are investigated carefully and promptly by the manager. This ensures that children are cared for by adults who have the necessary skills and values to keep them safe. Also, the manager and staff help children to understand how to make complaints. The manager and responsible individual acknowledge that developing consistent practice in reviewing complaints is an area of development to be strengthened.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager is dedicated and committed in developing a skilled team of staff to care for children. Staff describe the manager as nurturing in his care of children and themselves and value his support. For example, the manager recognises that lone working, when required, is an area of practice that needs ongoing review to ensure the safety and well-being of both children and staff.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff provide children with a safe and nurturing environment and act as positive role models. During the inspection, staff demonstrated integrity in their communication. They value clinical consultations and regular team meetings. However, staff recognise that a more structured approach would support greater consistency in practice.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager and responsible individual value reflective discussions and learning reviews as part of developing safe and effective practice. For example, reviews have been undertaken to improve systems for supporting children moving in and out of Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 4 the home. As a result, this reflective practice has contributed to developing procedures that help keep children safer.

p.3

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive a comprehensive induction following completion of safe recruitment processes. A detailed training plan is in place, and staff are supported to complete the required qualifications within expected timescales. The manager is proactive in reviewing the progress of staff qualifications to ensure continued development. Staff value the good-quality supervisions they receive, which supports their learning and enhances their practice.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has effective systems in place to monitor children’s progress, staffing and the running of the home. Children’s views are regularly captured and reviewed, and their suggestions are considered. The manager and responsible individual recognise that recording children’s views is an area for development. Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that all staff consistently follow the home's policies and procedures for the benefit of the children in the home’s care. Everyone working at the home must understand their roles and responsibilities and what they are authorised to decide on their own initiative. There should be clear lines of accountability. The registered person should have clear arrangements in place to maintain effective management when the manager is absent, off duty or on leave. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.20)  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 recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non- stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party

p.5

Recommendations

information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)

p.5

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: 2796035 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Esland North Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Esland Ltd, Suite 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

p.6

Inspector

Siân Heffey, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2796035 7 and inspects 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.

p.6

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.7

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.7

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.7