Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Lincolnshire

Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 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 privately owned home cares for up to 3 children who may have social and emotional needs or learning disabilities. Three children were living in the home at the time of this inspection. All 3 children contributed to the inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in October 2025.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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outstanding

How well children and young people are helped and protected outstanding

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outstanding

The effectiveness of leaders and managers outstanding

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outstanding

The children’s home provides highly effective services that consistently exceed the standards of good. The actions of the children’s home contribute to significantly improved outcomes and positive experiences for children and young people who need help, protection and care.

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outstanding

Date of last inspection: 14 January 2025

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outstanding

Overall judgement at last inspection: outstanding

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outstanding

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

14/01/2025 Full Outstanding 20/03/2024 Full Outstanding 06/02/2023 Full Good 28/09/2021 Full Good Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children living in this home receive an exceptionally good standard of care and have often lived in the home for a long period of time. Staff provide care that creates positive experiences and memories. The manager inspires a nurturing team of staff, who keep children at the centre of everything they do. Children share their feelings with staff and seek their support. Staff respond with care, understanding and empathy. Children who used to live in the home remain in contact with staff. Staff provide support and guidance while ensuring they maintain professional boundaries.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff have a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of children’s individual needs. Children form trusted relationships with staff and benefit from high-quality care and support. A family member of one child commented how the child can have a ‘laugh and a joke with staff’ and said the child ‘speaks highly of the staff’. Another family member commented how the child has made immeasurable progress since they have lived in the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to manage their emotions. Children have access to an in-house therapist. Support is provided directly to children or through sessions with staff, who then provide the support to children. One child had previously refused to engage in any form of therapy. Staff worked with the therapist to develop a plan specific to the child’s needs. As a result, this child now accesses regular one-to-one therapy. Children’s emotional wellbeing is a constant priority for staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Staff support children to engage in education tailored to their individual needs. Staff attend meetings with school staff and other external professionals to ensure children are provided with the support they need. One child was experiencing challenges with school. Staff work with the professionals to support and advocate for children. An education professional said, ‘I have always been impressed as to how they [staff] provide guidance and talk about the young person through a relational and empathetic, trauma-informed lens.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are helped by staff to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff work in partnership with children’s families and friends to ensure appropriate relationships are maintained. One member of a child’s extended family said, ‘The whole team are so welcoming and fabulous,’ and that communication is to a high level. People who are important to children are invited to the home regularly to spend time with them. This is highly valued by all those involved.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: outstanding

Children are supported by staff to enjoy celebrations. Staff use research-informed practice related to the difficulties children in care may experience, such as around celebrations. Memory books for children show their time at the home and the positive experiences they have. Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 4

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

Staff understand children’s risks. Risk assessments completed by staff are comprehensive, regularly reviewed and consistently implemented. Staff monitor and track behaviours through observation and consider emerging risks. Staff use curiosity and empathy with children to understand their needs. This is reflected clearly in risk assessments. Staff provide a consistent approach in responding to children’s needs.

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

Children’s views are encouraged, which strengthens the support staff provide. Serious incidents are avoided because of these strong relationships. External professional support is sought for children. This is done by staff immediately when there is a serious concern for a child’s safety and emotional wellbeing. Children share their worries and seek emotional support from staff. A member of staff said, ‘You can see that they [children] have trust in each member of the team and are comfortable expressing their worries and concerns.’ This greatly reduces risks for children.

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

Consequences are not used often with children. When they are used, understanding and empathy is shown by staff. Staff are creative in delivering messages to children about consequences and ensure children understand and learn. Positive praise is a regular occurrence and celebrates the progress children make.

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

There have been few complaints. When they are received, managers respond promptly, with any action required being taken immediately. Children’s views are listened to and acted on. Managers ensure children are kept informed about the progress of investigations into complaints and the outcomes. Staff are supported to respond to complaints made and to develop their practice and skills. Children are supported by staff to rebuild relationships, where this is needed.

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

Children do not often go missing from home. Staff take the appropriate action and work with other professionals to find children and return them home safely. There has only been one missing-from-home incident since the last inspection. Staff made continued attempts to locate the child. When the child returned home safely, staff and peers showed care and concern. This supports children to feel a sense of belonging.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

The manager and deputy manager have high expectations of staff and consistently high aspirations for children. They are ambitious and enthusiastic, and they ensure that the home is managed efficiently and effectively. The manager leads by example. He values spending time with children and maintains strong relationships. His oversight is strengthened by his presence in the home and the positive relationships developed with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Children receive outstanding care, support and guidance from a highly committed, competent and nurturing staff team. The stable and supportive staff team promotes continuity of care and strong attachments for children. A member of staff said, ‘The Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 5 manager puts his heart and soul into his work. He is a dedicated and passionate member of the team and a great leader and role model to our young people and team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff feel well supported by managers. Their views and ideas about care provided to children are listened to and put into practice. They feel able to approach managers on a formal and informal basis. Staff aspire for children and celebrate the progress children make.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff benefit from regular professional supervision and team meetings. They are held frequently and consider the individual needs of children and the support staff require to carry out their roles. Research-informed practice is led by the manager and training is delivered regularly in team meetings. The manager empowers staff to research development areas, constantly focusing on the developing needs of children. This contributes to continued improvement of care provided to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

Staff have support from a therapist, which helps them reflect and implement the home’s therapeutic model. Staff are encouraged and supported with their continued professional development through regular training. Overall, the staff are well qualified and experienced.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: outstanding

No requirements or recommendations have been made.

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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: 2505378 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: Suites 1 & 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN

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Inspector

Kathryn Hurley, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2505378 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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