Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2501397 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is privately owned. It is registered to provide care for one child who may have emotional, behavioural or social difficulties or a learning disability.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in August 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

One child was living at the home at the time of the inspection. They 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: 30 September 2024

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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: 2501397 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

30/09/2024 Full Good 14/08/2023 Full Outstanding 10/05/2022 Full Good 18/05/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2501397 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and provides a homely environment. The child’s bedroom is personalised and reflects their individuality. The child has taken ownership of their bedroom with posters and decoration. Since the garden has been renovated, the child enjoys relaxing in the garden and having barbeques with staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has developed positive and trusting relationships with core members of staff in the home. This has supported the child’s sense of stability, belonging and feeling of safety with staff. However, there have been some challenges in retaining staff, which has led to the child feeling unsettled. Both the child and professionals have shared that the changes have, at times, had a negative impact on the child’s emotional well-being.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child has an appropriate education plan in place and is making positive progress in this area. There is effective communication between the school and the manager, which promotes the consistency of support and helps ensure that the child receives the care and guidance required to do well in education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child feels valued and celebrated by staff. The manager and staff recognise and mark key milestones that promotes the child’s emotional well-being, such as celebrating their one-year anniversary of living in the home. The child also enjoyed a special trip to the theatre in London to celebrate their birthday, which was described as a positive experience. The child was also actively involved in planning activities during their summer holiday. This supported a sense of choice and ownership of the child’s experience.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s voice is valued and respected by staff. The child is confident to express their wishes and feelings, and this is actively supported and encouraged by staff. The child’s views are a central part of their care planning and directly influence decisions about their daily routines, activities and future goals. Recently, the child expressed they would like to have more independence. This was discussed alongside the relevant professionals and incorporated in the child’s care plan. The child has not yet taken full advantage of this. However, staff are supporting them to feel more confident in this area. This is an empowering approach that helps the child to feel listened to and encourages them to take an active role in their own development.

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

The child’s risks are well understood by staff, and risk assessments are detailed and tailored to their individual needs.

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

The manager works effectively with relevant professionals to ensure appropriate safety planning and responses are in place. The manager maintains contact with specialist services to ensure that the child receives the support they require. Inspection report for children’s home: 2501397 4 Staff respond promptly and sensitively to the child, ensuring that the child receives care and the reassurance they need at times of crisis. Clear and effective safety plans are in place and are regularly reviewed in response to the child’s changing needs.

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

Since the last inspection, staff have used physical intervention on four occasions to keep the child safe. These interventions were necessary to prevent harm and were proportionate, and used only as a last resort. The manager’s oversight is reflective and identified factors which led to the child’s escalating behaviour. The manager took the opportunity to reflect with staff, which has strengthened practice. This reflective approach demonstrates a commitment to continual improvement and promotes positive outcomes for children.

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

There has been one allegation made by a child against a member of staff within the last inspection year. The manager responded promptly and followed safeguarding procedures in line with the home’s policy. Relevant agencies were informed without delay, and protective measures were put in place while the investigation was completed. The child was kept informed of the process and the outcome, helping them to feel listened to and reassured. This shows the manager’s effective oversight and commitment to maintaining a strong safeguarding culture.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the child extremely well and demonstrates a child-focused, aspirational approach to care. The child feels confident in discussing sensitive topics and sharing any worries, knowing that appropriate action will be taken when needed. This responsive and nurturing approach helps the child to feel safe, valued and well supported.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has strong oversight of the home and demonstrates a clear understanding of staff’s strengths and areas for development. His reflective approach promotes a learning culture within the team that is focused on improving outcomes for the child.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive supervision of good quality. However, this is not consistently taking place in line with the home’s policy. This means staff do not always have regular opportunities to reflect on practice. This leaves a potential gap around professional development, or for emerging issues not to be identified or addressed as quickly as they could be.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has developed strong and effective relationships with external professionals. Communication is open, proactive and focused on achieving the best outcomes for the child. Professionals have commented on the manager’s excellent communication skills. He has a collaborative approach, which ensures information is shared effectively, planning is well coordinated and the child receives consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Safer recruitment procedures are followed. Staff have the required checks before working in the home. Inspection report for children’s home: 2501397 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should monitor and review the patterns and trends of turnover of staff and, where possible, address negative trends. (‘Guide to The Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 54, paragraph 10.19)  The registered person should ensure that staff have the opportunity to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children in their care through supervision that takes place on a regular basis. (‘Guide to The Children’s Home Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.2)

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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: 2501397 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: Esland Ltd, Suite 1 & 5, Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Milford, Belper DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Becky Thompson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2501397 7 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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