Social care · Children's home inspection (SCCIF)
Children's Home run by Esland North Limited in Warrington
Summary
What we read, and from where
Click a reading to see it highlighted in the report.
- Group verified
Esland North Limited
- Inspection date verified
24 Jun 2026
- Inspectors verified
Joy Viles
- Helped and protected verified
Good
- Leadership and management verified
Good
- Overall effectiveness verified
Good
- Name on report verified
2649743
- URN verified
2649743
Deep dive
What this report says
In plain English
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Grade profile
Hollow rings show the previous inspection, 2025.
- OverallGood
- Helped and protectedGood
- Leadership and managementGood
70% of comparable inspections in the last three years were graded Good (12,716 inspections).
Tone of the report
How positive or critical the inspectors' language is, from the words they chose. No AI involved.
Reads more warmly than most reports of this type graded Good.
Markers show where typical reports of each grade sit.
How the report reads, start to finish
Every paragraph in order, sized by length. Tap one to see it on the page.
Strengths
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
- The manager and staff work positively and proactively with other professionals to secure positive outcomes for the child. p.5
- The child takes part in activities and hobbies they enjoy, and staff promote positive peer relationships to reduce the child being socially isolated. p.3
- The manager ensured that the most suitable school was sought, and the child was fully involved in the planning process to ensure that the transition was positive and supportive. p.3
- Feedback from professionals is consistently positive. p.5
Concerns
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
No strong criticism found.
Next steps
Quoted from the report. Tap to see it on the page.
What the report dwells on
Topics by how often they come up, coloured by how they are described. Open one for an example.
Leadership & governance2
“The home is managed by a caring and dedicated registered manager.” p.4Wellbeing & mental health2
“Staff recognise the importance of health and wellbeing.” p.3
Anatomy of the report
How the report is built, against others of the same type and grade.
- Pages
- 8
- Words of findings
- 907
- shorter than usual (typical 1319)
- Reading level
- Fairly hard
- Flesch 52, typical 51
- Average sentence
- 15 words
- Next steps
- 1
- typical 4
- Hedged sentences
- 2%
- “some”, “not always”, “most”…
Where the words go
Full report text
Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 1 Registered provider: Esland North Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework
p.1
Information about this children's home
This home is owned by a private provider. It provides care for one child who may experience social and emotional difficulties.
p.1
Information about this children's home
The manager registered with Ofsted in May 2026.
p.1
Information about this children's home
At the time of this inspection, there was one child living at the home.
p.1
Overall experiences and progress of
children and young people, taking into account
p.1
good
How well children and young people are helped and protected good
p.1
good
The effectiveness of leaders and managers good
p.1
good
The children's home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.
p.1
good
Overall judgement at last inspection: good
p.1
good
Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 2
p.1
Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement
20/08/2025 Full Good 21/01/2025 Full Good 14/11/2023 Full Good 14/09/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 3
p.2
Summary of findings
The child is well cared for by a dedicated and caring staff team. The child has made significant progress with education and is now attending a school setting.
p.3
Summary of findings
The child takes part in activities and hobbies they enjoy, and staff promote positive peer relationships to reduce the child being socially isolated.
p.3
Summary of findings
Staff have a good understanding of the child's risks and needs, and there are robust plans in place to help keep the child safe.
p.3
Summary of findings
The manager promotes a positive culture within the home, with high aspirations and expectations for the child. Staff are supported by the manager and each other.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
The child has trusting and secure relationships with staff. Staff are dedicated and promote the child's wishes and feelings, wanting the best outcomes for the child.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
The child is now attending school following several years of missing education in a formal setting. A social worker said the child has made 'a huge step forward by attending education'. The manager ensured that the most suitable school was sought, and the child was fully involved in the planning process to ensure that the transition was positive and supportive. This is reported to have been significant progress for the child.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Staff support the child to develop skills and strategies to manage difficult feelings, using therapeutic models of care. Clear and appropriate boundaries are in place, and achievements are regularly celebrated. This promotes stability and a sense of belonging for the child.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Staff encourage the child's interests and hobbies. A dedicated area of the home is set up for bike mechanics and repairs, which the child enjoys. The child also takes part in fishing, bike rides, days out and go-karting. Staff actively promote peer relationships by ensuring that fun and meaningful activities take place with friends, helping to reduce social isolation.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
Staff recognise the importance of health and wellbeing. They use creative approaches to reduce the child's anxieties around attending health appointments. The child also has access to specialist support from an in-house clinician to promote their emotional wellbeing. Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 4 The child is supported by an advocate, and staff ensure that the child's wishes are shared with wider professionals, so their voice is heard and respected. The manager and staff work closely with other professionals to maintain consistent and effective support.
p.3
Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good
The home is maintained to a good standard, providing a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
Staff have a good understanding of the child's risks and vulnerabilities. Robust safety plans and embedded therapeutic approaches provide clear guidance for meeting the child's individual needs. Staff respond proactively and effectively to keep the child safe from harm.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
When the child goes missing, staff understand the risks and respond quickly. Incidents are minimal and of short duration. Staff actively search for the child and follow their agreed plans.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
The child has been physically restrained on one occasion, which was proportionate, and discussions took place with the child afterwards. Police have not been called to manage difficult behaviour. Staff use effective de-escalation techniques to help calm situations in the home.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
Staff understand the risks the child may face online and take steps to help keep them safe at home and when using their mobile phone.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
Staff regularly engage the child in age-appropriate conversations about risk, safety and independence, helping them develop the knowledge and skills needed to protect themselves from harm and make positive choices.
p.4
How well children and young people are helped and protected: good
Safer recruitment processes are in place, helping to ensure that only adults who are safe to work with children are employed at the home.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The home is managed by a caring and dedicated registered manager. One staff member said, 'He is one of the best managers I've had.' Staff consistently report that they are supported by their manager and by each other.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The manager regularly reviews the quality of care provided to the child and records clear, strengths-based evaluations, actions and expectations in key documents. The child's views are clearly recorded, helping staff understand what is working well and how best to meet the child's needs.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
Staff receive quality supervision and annual appraisals. Regular team meetings take place that are creative and well attended. These meetings discuss the child's needs and Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 5 progress, incident reports and how staff should respond therapeutically. The manager provides clear actions and expectations for staff to follow.
p.4
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The manager and staff attend regular training and development opportunities and meet frequently with the in-house clinician. This ensures that they continually develop their practice and meet the child's specific needs.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The manager promotes a positive culture within the home, with high aspirations and expectations for the child. Staff say they are supported and confident to raise concerns, share ideas and discuss any issues openly with the manager.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
The manager and staff work positively and proactively with other professionals to secure positive outcomes for the child. Feedback from professionals is consistently positive.
p.5
The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good
No requirements or recommendations were raised at this inspection. Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 6
p.5
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: 2649743 7
p.6
Children's home details
Registered provider: Esland North Limited
p.7
Children's home details
Registered provider address: Suites 1 & 5 Riverside Business Centre, Foundry Lane, Belper, Derbyshire DE56 0RN
p.7
Inspector
Joy Viles, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children's home: 2649743 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.
p.7
Inspector
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p.8
Inspector
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p.8
Inspector
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Inspector
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