"Serious Concerns About Esland’s…"

Serious Concerns About Esland’s Assessment Home.. one home every !

Having worked within Esland’s assessment homes, I feel compelled to highlight significant concerns regarding both staff welfare and the care provided to young people. The management culture is deeply problematic, with bullying behaviors prevalent and staff constantly at risk of suspension, often without justifiable cause.

Despite the complex needs of the young people in their care, there is a concerning lack of therapeutic input to support their emotional and psychological well-being. Rather than receiving the guidance and intervention they require, children are often subjected to punitive practices that can be deeply retraumatizing. For example, they are routinely made to sit alone in their rooms at night without access to a TV or any form of comfort to help them settle—an approach that lacks compassion and fails to consider their individual neeeds.

Furthermore, Ofsted inspections do not always reflect the true day-to-day conditions, as homes prepare extensively for scheduled visits, presenting a misleading image of their operations. The lack of unannounced, thorough inspections allows these shortcomings to persist unchecked.

Staff are also treated poorly, particularly in the aftermath of serious incidents. There is no meaningful debriefing or support, leaving employees to deal with the psychological toll of highly distressing situations on their own. The expectation is simply to “get on with it,” regardless of the impact on their mental health.

Esland’s current practices are unsustainable and do a disservice to both the young people they claim to help and the staff who dedicate themselves to this challenging work. Regulatory bodies should take a closer, more unfiltered look at what truly happens within these homes.

Staff are often reluctant to raise concerns through the whistleblowing procedure, as there is a pervasive fear of retaliation. In many cases, those who speak out are identified, which can lead to targeted mistreatment or professional consequences. This culture of fear prevents legitimate issues from being addressed and further enables poor practices to continue unchecked.

The regional manager has overseen the dismissal of numerous staff members and created an environment that has driven others to leave. This has resulted in a high turnover rate, significantly impacting stability within the homes. As a consequence, one of the assessment homes has become increasingly reliant on agency staff, further disrupting continuity of care for the young people.

"Just awful !"

Just awful !

"Esland is a good place for kids in…"

Esland is a good place for kids in need; it's not for everyone who can put up with some of the pains that come with it.

"AVOID if you do this job for the right reasons and not for the £££"

This is the worst company I have ever worked for. The social media posts, website and their promise of staff investment, working for a company which truly values you, was what first attracted me to the role however it couldn’t be more opposite. After leaving a company that was child centred, where the young people were well looked after, cared for and had their needs met as I was looking for a new opportunity I can honestly say it was the worst mistake I have made. Working for Esland has shown me everything what is wrong with the social care system, where the company is just focused on money for their directors at the expense of vulnerable children's lives.

The company is full of empty promises, recruiting staff for homes that aren’t operational and won’t be for a while so they expect their staff to travel miles, out of their own region. Poor management support and very poor standards of the home. I can’t speak for all the homes but the ones I unfortunately worked in were inadequate, very outdated ,it was very clear no money is spent on modernising the homes or making the homes homely for these young people, even when doing the food shop we have to choose between frozen vegetables or meat for our dinner as the budget doesn’t cover it. Staff often using their own money to cover costs such as parking, bread, milk etc. Homes unclean, with a lack of resources and daily essentials. Staff completing paperwork as a tick box exercise and not being factual, or actually helping the young people meet their goals

As well as accepting referrals without a proper transition period, no risk assessments in place for staff safety, office doors that don’t lock. Management off under investigation & no one in place to support instead.

Im not usually one to write reviews and I too read the reviews of this company prior to accepting my contract but had the attitude that “people always have something to moan about” so I’ll give it a shot. Don’t be a fool like me. If my review is read by just one person and they turn down a job working for this awful company I will be glad, it really is dreadful.

Its a shame the CEO doesn’t spend more time in the homes and see what really goes on, as I would be ashamed to have my name as the head of a company, that cares so little about the very reason we do this job, for the young people!

"Opportunity for development and progression"

I really enjoyed my time at Esland. It was hard work but it felt worth it as you're helping young people. They have given me many opportunities to learn new skills and provided training for me to obtain certificates in project management which helped me in my role and progressed my development. They invest in you and give you the chance to step up and sideways if that's where you want to go. I was able to progress from admin to manager within 4 years and they supported me to change departments when I was unhappy in my role. My manager really supported me through the pandemic and the uncertainty.

"Managers and two faced people"

I don’t even want to waste anymore time on this company. Very two faced, the managers are degrading and also love to join in on the two facedness. It’s all about if the face fits. You also aren’t allowed to reply to anything they say, you’re spoken over as what you have to say isn’t as important. Good luck if you're going to bother with them.

"Bullying managers"

I worked with the same two young people for three years. They knew I just wanted to stay with them until they left later this year. I made the mistake of complaining about a manager. My shifts were changed. My days were changed.my pay cut. I was redeployed to other homes while agency staff brought in to work at the house I should have been working. When I complained too much I was threatened with the sack. I quit on the spot.

"Not a 'safe' feel to the school."

Not a safe feel to the school that I work in. Company profits come before teaching and safety of pupils. Management at school and at a higher level only look out for themselves and are too focussed on OFSTED, usually to the detriment of the pupils - teaching and support staff have been told by the Head Teacher at Grantham to 'make do or leave'. The teaching team work together well, despite the management not really understanding what is going on in the classrooms. Managers can become managers by experience, not by being good managers - that is what is happening in Grantham. Unfortunately, I am having to stay as there ar no other jobs around but I'll leave as soon as anything else turns up. The management have ruined what could have been a great school in Grantham.

"Where do I start...manager of my home…"

Where do I start...manager of my home wasn’t qualified at all, liked sending pictures of his private’s to female members of staff, slagged off children calling them derogatory names, poisonous staff who if they didn’t like you did their best to get you out. This company broke me, my concerns were raised and ignored, long shifts with no proper breaks. Place needs shutting down, when ofsted are due, they run around like possessed people to ‘tart’ everything up. Spot checks should be done, to see the real esland!
Avoid at all costs.

"This company sucked the life out of me…"

This company sucked the life out of me and turned me into someone I am not. Managers thrive of bullying staff, don't go to those above, they're all friends and family. Very toxic environment. They will not support you and quick to put the blame on staff during incidents. Hours random, shifts are random not as promised at interview. Managers tell you 'You're not allowed a life' and expect you to work extra day. Very minipulating, rude and laugh in your face over serious concerns. They tried to 'diagnose' me with autism and announced this in front of the staff team as a 'Joke' because I bought up - Things are not getting done on the list. Staff are lazy and it gets blamed on the hard workers. I strongly advise to avoid!! I was signed off with stress due to how this place is managed. I'd go home crying and shouting often. 5 staff left in a month in the same home. Don't risk your mental health. This is the only work place out my ten years employment that I regret! Go to a different company.