Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancashire

Unique reference number SC432741 Inspection date 03/12/2013 Inspector Anne Bannister Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Children's home

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Date of last inspection 02/08/2013 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 gender 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 satisfactory progress .

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Progress

At the last full inspection in August 2013, the overall effectiveness of the home was judged to be good. Following the inspection Ofsted asked the provider to address three requirements and one recommendation.

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Progress

The home has responded to the previous requirements and recommendation by developing its own admission forms to supplement the information shared by the placing authority. Young people's health needs are now detailed as a part of the admission process so that issues which may immediately impact on their health and welfare are promptly addressed. Documented evidence demonstrates an assessment is completed that assesses the impact of a new admission on the current resident group. A consequence of all these actions is that the home's admission process clearly demonstrates that the manager is confident that staff are able to effectively meet young people's identified needs and that their admission will not impact negatively on the existing resident group. The home's Statement of Purpose confirms the training staff undertake to support them in the safe management of challenging behaviours. All these actions ensure that the home continues to support the

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Progress

identified needs of the young people it is caring for in the most appropriate manner.

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Progress

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. Despite this some young people continue to exhibit behaviours which leave them vulnerable to exploitation. Good links with the placing authorities and other professionals ensure a collaborative approach to risk management is taken. Appropriate multi-agency collaboration is taking place to address these issues, ensuring that young people's safety and welfare is promoted.

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Progress

Links with other professionals continue to develop to ensure young people receive consistent support which meets individually identified needs. Links with education providers have been significantly strengthened to ensure that young people are supported to achieve their full potential. Young people previously disengaged in education are now engaged in individual education programmes and are making significant progress based on their starting point on admission.

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Progress

Discussions with young people advise that the home is providing a nurturing environment where they are making progress and achieving. Young people confirm that they know how to complain if they are unhappy or concerned about something. They state that they are confident to approach staff if they have any worries they need to share. This means that young people trust that they will be listened to and know that their concerns will be addressed.

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Progress

Staff remain enthusiastic and committed to ensuring positive outcomes for the young people in their care. However, they are not receiving supervision and support to the frequency described in the company's supervision policy. Two waking night staff had not received a full induction or regular supervision in line with the company policy guidance. The manager has recently become aware of this deficit and is taking action to address this shortfall.

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Progress

A recent development day has begun to inform the content of a training and development plan. The plan identifies future developments in the service and demonstrates how the company will ensure that all staff receive the training required to support young people's individually identified needs. One requirement has been made as a result of this inspection.

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Statutory Requirements

This section sets out the actions which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Children's Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

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Reg. Requirement Due date

(2001) ensure that all persons employed receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisal. In particular induction and supervision must take place inline with the company's policy. (Regulation 27 (4(a)) 25/02/2014

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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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