Children's home run by Esland North Limited

Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 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

This privately owned home is part of a large organisation. It is registered to provide care for up to 4 children with social and emotional difficulties. At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home, and both were given the opportunity to speak to the inspector.

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Information about this children's home

A suitably qualified and experienced registered manager is in post.

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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: 19 November 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: 2772637 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

19/11/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, 3 children have moved into the home and 3 have moved on. Moves into and out of the home have been carefully planned and sensitively managed. As a result, children experience positive, well-supported moves that help them to settle quickly. When children leave the home, their achievements and time there are celebrated. Memory books provide a thoughtful record of their experiences and reinforce to children that they are valued.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home provides children with large, pleasant spaces to relax and enjoy themselves. It is clean, tidy, warm, well furnished and decorated. Children's toys, books and games are accessible to them, creating a homely atmosphere that contributes to children's enjoyment of living in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's views about living in the home are generally positive. One child rated the home '100 out of 100', explaining that staff help them when they feel overwhelmed. Another child has expressed feeling lonely and has not yet built strong relationships with staff, although they have a positive relationship with the manager. Staff are taking appropriate steps to strengthen this child's sense of belonging and connection.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are well supported to maintain relationships with the people who matter to them. Staff and the manager work with families effectively, which helps children to feel settled and secure. Family members speak highly of the care provided and the progress their children make. One parent rated the home '10 out of 10', describing staff as patient, kind and supportive.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children receive individualised care informed by external professionals and the home's therapeutic team. Plans and assessments are regularly reviewed, ensuring that staff understand children's needs and how best to meet them. Staff engage children in purposeful conversations that promote safety, health and education. This well-informed approach supports children to make progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's cultural and identity needs are well understood and promoted. They are supported to attend their chosen place of worship, learn about their heritage and enjoy food and activities linked to their culture. Children also explore and learn about other cultures, helping them to develop a strong sense of identity.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's physical and mental health needs are met effectively. Staff work closely with external agencies to ensure that children receive timely support. The therapeutic team provides staff with guidance and training to promote children's emotional wellbeing and offers direct support to children when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Education is prioritised. When children are not in school, staff provide structured learning activities that maintain their engagement and confidence. However, for one child who is Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 4 in education, staff do not consistently communicate with the school regarding appointments or lateness. This has the potential to disrupt the child's educational experience.

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

Risks to children are well understood. Staff benefit from clear, detailed plans that guide their practice and support safe, proportionate responses to risk. These plans are strengthened by effective partnership working.

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

Children rarely go missing from home. Since the last inspection, there has been one missing-from-home incident. Staff followed the child's plan and worked with partner agencies to ensure the child's safe return.

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

Physical intervention is used only when necessary to keep children or others safe. Staff are skilled in de-escalation and use these strategies effectively.

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

Children have meaningful opportunities to express their views and influence their care. Staff listen to children and act on their wishes where possible. As a result, complaints are rare.

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

Allegations made by children are taken seriously. The manager acts quickly to ensure children's safety and investigates concerns promptly. Children are kept informed of outcomes of investigations.

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

Consequences are rarely used. Children's achievements are celebrated, and their progress encouraged using rewards.

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

When children experience thoughts of self-harm or engage in self-harm, staff respond promptly and ensure that they receive appropriate support.

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

However, safer recruitment procedures have not been followed robustly. Leaders and managers have not ensured that all staff have current Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. This shortfall was identified during the inspection, and immediate action was taken to address it.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Children speak extremely positively about the manager, describing her as 'amazing' and rating her '100 out of 100'. The manager is dedicated, hardworking and highly regarded by children, families and professionals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager communicates effectively and builds strong relationships with external professionals and families. One family member said, 'I don't think anyone can do a better job than her… there is a really good relationship.' This collaborative approach ensures that children receive well-coordinated support. Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 5 Leaders and managers ensure that staff benefit from regular supervision and team meetings. These are focused on ensuring that staff understand children's changing needs and what is expected of them. When children have specific needs, leaders and managers provide staff with the training they need to help them. As a result, children are cared for by staff who are knowledgeable and understand them well.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff morale is high. Staff describe the manager as supportive, approachable and hardworking. Comments include, 'I wouldn't want to work anywhere else,' and 'I love it.' Staff feel valued and well supported, which contributes to low staff turnover and provides children with a stable, consistent team. Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the 'Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations, including the quality standards'. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children's safety.

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual to work at the children's home; or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work at the home in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work at the home,

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Requirement Due date

if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 2. (Regulation 32 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that the DBS checks for staff are seen and checked before staff begin working with children. 31 March 2026

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Requirement Due date

In meeting the quality standards, the registered person must, and must ensure that staff—

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Requirement Due date

seek to develop and maintain effective professional relationships with such persons, bodies or organisations as the registered person considers appropriate having regard to the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the children's home is to provide care and accommodation. (Regulation 5 (d))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, the registered person must ensure that staff effectively communicate with children's schools. 31 March 2026 Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 7

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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: 2772637 8

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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 & 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Children's home details

Registered manager: Caroline Adams-Evans

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Inspector

John Tomlinson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2772637 9 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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