Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and run by a private company. 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 this inspection, one child was living at the home. The child was spoken with during the inspection. In total, two children have lived in the home during this inspection period.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2025 when the home reopened following a nine-month period of closure for refurbishment and staff recruitment.

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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: 2690569 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

10/05/2023 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children make sustained progress in all areas of their life. This is promoted by staff who provide a nurturing and consistent environment. Children feel safe and supported, which enables them to develop confidence and emotional security. Children’s previous risky behaviours are seen less, indicating a positive shift in their emotional regulation and overall well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Relationships between staff and children are highly constructive. One child said, ‘I am happy here.’ These relationships enable children to feel comfortable expressing their deepest worries and concerns. This demonstrates trust in the adults and a growing sense of confidence. Staff respond sensitively and appropriately, further reinforcing the children’s sense of safety and belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff take time to understand children’s views, wishes and needs. The manager arranges for supplementary training related to the children’s vulnerabilities, and staff apply this new knowledge. This individualised approach benefits the children, as shown by the progress they have made.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff organised a special celebration to mark the end of one child’s GCSEs. This made the child feel valued and had a positive impact on their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children have positive experiences at this home. This includes going on holidays and spending quality time with their family. One child has secured a part-time job, while others are supported in education. Children are encouraged to identify their future aspirations and work towards them. One child worked closely with staff on a gardening project.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s moves into and on from the home are well planned and managed at their pace. Staff and managers consider children’s wishes, safety and well-being. Staff work collaboratively with other social care professionals to ensure that these moves are smooth and appropriately timed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff understand the importance of friends and family in children’s lives and help them to stay in touch, even when this is at a distance. This helps children keep the links to their home area and means their hometown still feels familiar to them should they choose to return there in adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The house is warm and welcoming. There is a large garden annex providing additional space, but this is not being used. This misses an opportunity to provide a bespoke space for children.

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

Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 4 Since the home reopened, the child has not gone missing or been restrained, and they have not repeated any previously risky behaviour. This suggests the child is becoming increasingly safe.

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

Children are supported in taking age-appropriate risks. As children mature, they are granted increased freedom and more independence. This is done gradually so as not to overwhelm them. Staff are reflective and appropriately cautious when making these decisions.

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

Children’s risks and vulnerabilities are well understood by staff. Clear and thorough plans typically reflect them well, enabling staff to respond appropriately to children during times of crisis. However, one child’s records were not updated in line with recent changes. The managers closely oversee all incidents. They quickly identify and address any shortfalls in staff practice.

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

The quality of key-work sessions is a strength of the home. Staff are alert to every opportunity to have meaningful, focused conversations with children. This gives them opportunities to gather and respond to children’s views as well as giving the children skills and educating them.

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

Managers make sure to support children in meeting their specific health and education needs. This involves seeking specialist support when children need it. If children do not feel emotionally ready to accept this help, it is deferred until they are. This reduces any unnecessary pressures on children.

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

The advice and expertise of the in-house clinician are regularly sought and implemented. This helps promote a consistent approach that is in line with the organisation’s overall model of care. Health and social care professionals commented on how well children’s needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The new manager has high expectations of staff. Staff speak well of leaders and managers and hold them in high regard.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have access to appropriate training and supervision. The training is responsive to children’s emerging needs and is supported through close working with the clinician. This bespoke training and joined-up working is further enhanced through regular monthly meetings. This means that staff are helped to keep up to date and provide individualised care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers work effectively to remove barriers and obstacles for children. This especially applies to one child who was hindered in making educational progress due to out-of-date information being held on their record. The positive impact of the manager’s actions is that their learning is back on track. Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 5 There are abundant examples of children’s wishes and feelings being considered. The manager responds appropriately to children’s complaints, which makes them feel heard and that their opinions matter.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers have forged solid relationships with external professionals. This is a further strength of this team, as it has fostered a joined-up approach that progresses children’s care plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

A recommendation made at the last inspection has been responded to, and staff now demonstrate a good understanding of the home’s policies and plans acquired through multiple learning sessions and meetings. However, staff lack the necessary knowledge about the role of the local authority designated officer. This has not affected the care children receive. Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children are able to see the results of their views being listened to and acted on. This applies to consideration of developing the premises so that they are suitable for children to pursue hobbies and interests. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that the staff understand the role of the local authority designated officer. (‘Guide to the Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 53, paragraph 10.11)  The registered person should ensure that children’s care plans are kept up to date and that information aligns with that in other plans. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.3)

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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: 2690569 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: Suites 1 and 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Courtney Taylor-Beecroft

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Inspector

Rachel Ruth, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2690569 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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