Children's Home, Residential special school run by Hopscotch Solutions Limited in Rutland

Unique reference number SC065071 Inspection date 26/03/2014 Inspector Philip Cass Type of inspection Interim Provision subtype Residential special school (>295 days/year)

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Date of last inspection 27/11/2013 Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Brief description of the service

This is a privately owned residential special school that provides care and education to young people diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder. The school cares for children for more than 295 days each year, therefore is registered as a children’s home. The home can accommodate up to 11 young people.

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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

At the last inspection in November 2013 the home was judged to be good with outstanding features.

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Progress

The home has made good progress since the last inspection. Consequently, young people are safe and well looked after.

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Progress

Two requirements and one recommendation were made at the previous inspection. These have been fully addressed.

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Progress

The home was required to improve the way that incidents of restraint are recorded and evaluated. Records are now more detailed and as a result managers are better able to monitor and evaluate the suitability and effectiveness of restraint. This reduces the likelihood of abusive practice developing in the home.

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Progress

Managers were also required to share information promptly with regulatory and safeguarding agencies following complaints or allegations made against staff. The home now shares all relevant information with appropriate authorities. This enables thorough investigation of any concerns. Child protection systems are further improved because safeguarding information is now better recorded and stored. This supports the effective monitoring of the home so that any patterns and trends can be identified. As result, children and young people are safer.

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Progress

Managers are good at listening to young people and responding positively to their ideas and suggestions. A recently established young people’s forum is used effectively so that young people can influence decision making in the home, for example when young people said they wanted to go swimming more often this was facilitated. Swimming lessons are provided to staff so that they become more confident in the water and are able to offer more frequent activities in the swimming pool. The service is also creative in supporting staff to meet the educational needs of young people. Staff are provided with specialist training so that they are better able to help young people complete homework tasks. Because managers find innovative ways to develop their staff outcomes for young people are improved.

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Progress

The home’s quality assurance and development planning processes are used well to drive improvements and ensure high quality care is provided to young people. An example of the impact of this is that by making better use of outside spaces and modernising the home’s ‘relaxation room’, staff now manage challenging and violent behaviours more positively. Improved furniture, fire safety systems, and care planning processes further demonstrate the commitment of staff to continual improvement.

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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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