Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC432741 Inspection date 17/01/2013 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 14/11/2012 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This privately-owned children's home is registered to accommodate and care for five young people of either sex who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties. The home accepts emergency placements and can offer care to young people on a short-, medium- or long-term basis.

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The inspection judgements and what they mean

Good progress The children’s home has demonstrated continued improvement in quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the large majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Satisfactory progress The children’s home has maintained quality of care and outcomes for children and young people and where appropriate has addressed all requirements and the majority of recommendations that were raised at the previous inspection. Inadequate progress The children’s home has failed to address one or more requirements and/or has not met the majority of recommendations and/or the quality of care and outcomes for children and young people have declined since the last full inspection.

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Progress

Since their previous inspection the service is judged to be making good progress .

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Progress

This interim inspection focuses on the effective progress made by the home since the last full inspection, at which the judgement for overall effectiveness was good. The home continues to provide young people with good quality care that supports them to make positive progress and achieve good outcomes. Young people talk positively about their experiences in the home. This is because they are cared for by a committed staff team who have high aspirations for the young people in their care. The staff work hard to ensure that appropriate education placements are sourced for young people following their admission to the home. As a result, all young people, including those who previously have been disengaged from education for some time, are actively involved in education programmes which support them to achieve their goals. Staff assist young people to access further education that is most suitable for their long-term employment. This results in young people being more positive and

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Progress

enthusiastic about attendance. The staff make a lot of effort to encourage good attendance and ensure that the young people are well-prepared for their day at school or college. Facilities within the home support and extra curriculum work they may wish to do out of education hours. Young people's safety continues to be given the highest priority. Staff are aware of young people's risks and vulnerabilities. They talk to young people about socially acceptable behaviour and how to keep themselves safe. Good links with the placing authorities and other professionals ensure a collaborative approach to risk management is taken. This has contributed to young people taking an increased responsibility for their behaviour and a reduction in risk-taking behaviour, including going missing from home.

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Progress

The home is effectively managed and continues to show a good capacity for improvement. Suitable action has been taken to address the requirement and one recommendation from the previous inspection. The ‘Missing from home’ procedures have been reviewed to ensure that there is evidence that young people are offered the opportunity to speak to someone outside of the home when they return. All staff have been given clear guidance about issues that they are required to notify Ofsted about under Schedule 5 of the Children’s Home Regulations 2001. In addition the management and staff team have made further improvements that enhance the quality of care provided to young people. Staff have undertaken further relevant training and qualifications that help them care safely for young people, for example, child sexual exploitation, behaviour management. Further training dates are booked to ensure staff have and retain the skills they need to care for young people in their

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Progress

There were no shortfalls identified at this inspection.

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About this inspection

The purpose of this inspection is to assure children and young people, parents, the public, local authorities and government of the quality and standard of the service provided. The inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service and to consider how well it complies with the relevant regulations and meets the national minimum standards.

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About this inspection

The report details the progress made by the provider since the last full inspection, identifies any further strengths, any areas for improvement and makes judgements as outlined in the Inspection of children’s homes – framework for inspection.

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