Children's home run by Esland North Limited in Amber Valley

Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 1 SC478991

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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 home is registered to provide care for up to 4 children with learning disabilities.

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Information about this children's home

The registered manager is suitably qualified.

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Information about this children's home

At the time of the inspection, 2 children were living in the home. Both children were spoken to and observed during 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: 26 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: SC478991 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

26/11/2024 Full Good 29/08/2023 Full Good 21/09/2022 Full Good 17/03/2022 Interim Declined in effectiveness Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Since the last inspection, one child has moved into the home, and one child has moved out. Transitions have been well planned and informed by each child's individual needs. Staff completed social ‑ story work with the child who moved on, helping them understand the reasons for the change and what to expect in their new home. This sensitive approach helped the child feel prepared and reduced their anxiety.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support children well to access education. One child has excellent attendance and is making good progress at school. School professionals value the strong communication with staff, which promotes consistent care and responses across home and school settings. One child has recently moved into the home and does not yet have an education placement. Staff are working closely with the child's social worker and the virtual school to resolve this quickly. A tutor has been arranged to provide interim education.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children's preferred methods of communication are understood and promoted by staff. Daily diaries, enhanced with photos, give children a visual record of their experiences. This helps children reflect on what they have done and supports their involvement in planning future activities.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported effectively to spend time with their families. Staff facilitate transport and accommodate changes to plans, sometimes at short notice, to ensure continuity of contact. Staff recognise the importance of family relationships in promoting children's identity and sense of belonging. This helps children feel valued and connected to those who matter to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home is well presented and comfortable. It has recently been repainted throughout, including children's bedrooms. Photos of children enjoying activities and spending time with important people are displayed, creating a warm and personalised environment. Toys and books reflecting children's interests are readily accessible. Preparations are underway to make the garden ready for use in better weather, including new decking and the purchase of a trampoline.

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

Staff implement clear and consistent boundaries that provide structure and predictability within children's daily routines. They use their positive and trusting relationships with children to calm and reassure them during times of heightened emotion. As a result, children respond well and feel safe and secure in the care provided.

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

Investigations into allegations are appropriately shared with safeguarding agencies. These are managed promptly, and children are supported and protected throughout the Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 4 process. Staff understand the whistleblowing procedure and are confident that leaders and managers will respond effectively to any safeguarding concerns they raise.

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

Physical restraint is used only when necessary to protect children or staff from harm. Records of incidents are routinely reviewed by managers to identify emerging patterns or themes. This oversight strengthens staff understanding of individual children's needs and informs the development of tailored strategies to reduce the risk of future incidents. For example, when the use of restraint increased for one child, staff sought clinical input to better understand the underlying behaviours and contributing factors.

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

Since the last inspection, there has been one medication error. Leaders and managers responded proactively, and the actions taken have been effective in preventing a reoccurrence. Recruitment processes prioritise children's safety. Pre ‑ employment checks are thorough, and any identified risks are carefully assessed by leaders, with decisions made through a clear and purposeful approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is experienced and has led the home for more than 5 years. She is passionate about ensuring that children receive high ‑ quality care. She is well supported by a responsible individual who is child ‑ focused and committed to the continued development of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Monitoring and oversight are thorough and effective. Shortfalls are identified promptly and addressed without delay. For example, following a child moving into the home, further information indicated that the child's needs were different from those outlined in the referral. Leaders and managers took swift action to notify Ofsted and liaise with the placing authority to review the placement decision.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The staff team is long ‑ standing and stable. Staff enjoy working in the home and feel valued by the manager. Access to therapeutic support, including for personal matters, contributes to staff feeling respected, supported and appreciated.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff possess the skills needed to care for children effectively. Mandatory training is completed within required timescales, and additional training is provided when necessary to meet the specific needs of individual children. Regular team consultations with a clinician offer opportunities for reflective practice and deepen staff understanding of children's emotional needs and behaviours. This enables staff to provide informed, consistent care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff receive regular practice ‑ related supervision from an experienced member of the team. These sessions are supportive and allow staff to reflect on their practice and consider the impact of their responses on children's behaviour. Supervision also addresses staff wellbeing and professional development, helping to maintain a reflective, skilled and resilient workforce. Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 5 Feedback from external stakeholders, including professionals and family members, is consistently positive. They highlight the manager's strong leadership and the staff team's child ‑ focused practice and collaborative approach.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 6

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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: SC478991 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 & 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Becky Rutter, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: SC478991 8 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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