Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 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 operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to two children who may have social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living in the home. No children have moved in or out of the home since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in March 2024.

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have 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 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: 2699847 2

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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

The child says they are happy and like living at the home. They say they have good relationships with staff. Professionals say that the child is making progress and they are provided with positive experiences and memories.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the child well. They speak about the child with warmth and pride, which helps the child feel cared for and respected.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are strong advocates for the child, supporting them to share their views, wishes and feelings. Staff are supporting the child with their planned transition out of the home in a reassuring and supportive manner. They regularly speak to the child about what is happening and help them address any worries they may have. There is good multi-agency working between the staff and other agencies to support the child and ensure that their views are listened to and heard.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers are taking action to improve the review of information for children who may move into the home, aiming to ensure that managers and staff understand the child’s needs. However, the effectiveness of these changes is not yet known as no children have moved into the home since the last inspection.

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Findings from the inspection

The child attends school regularly and is making good progress. They have aspirations for their future, which is supported and nurtured by staff. Leaders and managers are strong advocates for the child and are committed to ensuring that the child’s educational needs are met when they move to their new home.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff understand the child’s risks and talk to them regularly about how to keep themselves safe. This is helping the child to develop a mature approach to risk and a commitment to making well-informed choices.

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Findings from the inspection

Incidents at the home are rare. When incidents occur, staff respond in an appropriate way. There is good multi-agency working by staff to ensure the child’s safety and overall wellbeing.

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Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no physical interventions. Despite this, the manager has carried out work with the staff to improve their practice and recording of physical interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

Risk management plans are updated regularly and specific to the child. However, they do not always include clear actions for staff to follow. This has not had a negative impact on the child because staff understand their roles and responsibilities in keeping the child safe. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 3 The registered manager has recently returned to work following a period of absence. During this time, the deputy manager managed the home with support from senior leaders. Inconsistencies in leadership and management have, at times, affected communication between staff, which was not always positive. The registered manager and senior leaders are actively addressing this issue.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager knows the child well and speaks about them with warmth and affection. She is committed to the child and ambitious for them. The registered manager is a strong advocate for the child and challenges decisions that are not in their best interests.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager has clear oversight of all aspects of the care provided at the home. She ensures that the child’s documents are received from external professionals and available to staff. This helps maintain consistent and safe care. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

23/06/2025 Full Requires improvement to be good 29/05/2024 Full Good 23/05/2023 Full Inadequate Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s risk management plans contain clear actions for staff to follow to keep children safe. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including quality standards,’ page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should lead the home with consistency and clarity to ensure that staff practice and communication with each other is consistently aligned with the culture and ethos set out in the home’s Statement of Purpose. They should also ensure there is a consistently warm and positive culture for children at the home. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 52, paragraph 10.4) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 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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Children’s home details

Registered manager: Aulora-Jayne Mortimer

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Inspectors

Danielle Allen, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Sarah Gilbert, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2699847 7 regulates 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 looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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