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

The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This home was judged Outstanding at the full inspection. At this interim inspection Ofsted judge that it has improved effectiveness .

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Young people living in this home continue to be happy, settled and content. They enjoy living here and as a result make progress in many areas of their lives, including education. They go to school on site and have excellent attendance. Young people enjoy going to school and make good progress supported by staff members. Provision of new IT equipment, in the form of I-Pads, supports them with learning and in various areas of their development. Additionally communication between care and education staff is good, leading to continuity of care and support. Consequently, young people make progress educationally and in all aspects of their social and personal development.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The health needs of young people is a key priority for the registered manager and staff. Excellent working relationships have been established between staff and local doctors, opticians and dentists. This has helped those young people who become anxious when attending appointments. Staff will work with the practice to ensure the consultation room is arranged to meet the needs of the young person. This good communication has meant for a better service, as there has been a more sensitive approach taken by the dentist or doctor. Longer appointments are also provided and there is consideration to effective means of communication, such as the use of symbols and sign language. Young people are encouraged to eat healthily and make the right food choices. Staff have been innovative in how they do this. For example, they support young people to use IT to measure sugar content in foods and staff work with young people regarding food content. As a

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

result, young people are being educated regarding the foods they eat and supported to make good choices.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The staff group are highly nurturing and know the young people well. Young people’s strengths and abilities are well promoted and staff are proud of their achievements. This leads to an environment epitomised by praise, warmth and patience for the young people from the dedicated staff group.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The accommodation for young people is safe and comfortable, as well as being clean, tidy and well maintained. Young people’s rooms are comfortable and personalised to their tastes. The registered manager and staff work hard to ensure the environment is homely, avoiding an institutional impression.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The registered manager and senior staff have made good developments since the last inspection. The registered manager has been provided with additional training and support. Senior members of staff from the home have been raising awareness of autism by providing informative talks in local schools and leisure centres regarding the barriers and difficulties faced by young people with autism. This has led to improved community integration for the home and a greater community understanding of autism.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

The use of physical intervention has significantly reduced and is only carried out in circumstances where young people are placing themselves and others at risk. The home have developed their approach to physical intervention following research completed by a senior member of staff. All young people now have de-escalation plans that are pro-active and seek to understand triggers, such as environmental changes or changes to routines. Chill out areas are also effectively used. Training for staff in preventing the need for physical intervention has also improved.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

Respect for young people’s views is exceptional and central to decisions taken regarding their care. All young people’s views are sought at house meetings, including young people who require additional communication support. An independent visitor attends the home weekly and supports young people to provide their views on the care they receive. Young people have a ‘wishing tree’ on which they post ideas and views that are listened too by staff. This home is one in which the views of young people are fundamental to how the home is run.

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The effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of

This is a safe and stable home, well managed by a highly skilled and motivated senior leadership team. They lead a stable and motivated staff group whose training and development needs are met. The staff group receive regular supervision of a high standard and have the opportunity for good career development. One member of staff said, ‘I love it here, I love the support from the staff group and I love the kids’. The staff group are mutually respectful and enjoy meeting together on a regular basis. Their views and ideas are both listened to and taken forward. As a result, young people benefit from being cared for by a highly professional and dedicated staff group, who seek to fulfil the potential of all the young people they care for.

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Information about this children's home

The home provides care and accommodation for 12 young people who may have autism, learning difficulties, challenging behaviour, ADHD, epilepsy and dyspraxia. The home also incorporates a registered full-time school. The home is privately owned and managed.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

24/03/2015 Interim improved effectiveness

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What the inspection judgements mean

At the interim inspection we make a judgement on whether the home has improved in effectiveness, sustained effectiveness, or declined in effectiveness since the previous full inspection. This is in line with the Inspection of children's homes: framework for inspection.

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people living in the children's home. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference adults make to the lives of children and young people. They read case files, watched how professional staff work with children, young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care given to children and young people. Wherever possible, they talked to children, young people and their families. In addition the inspectors have tried to understand what the children's home knows about how well it is performing, how well it is doing and what difference it is making for the children and young people who it is trying to help, protect and look after. This inspection focused on the effectiveness of the home and the progress and experiences of children and young people since the most recent full inspection.

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Information about this inspection

This 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 Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. the guidance raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted, which is available from Ofsted's website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted . If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

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, workbased learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It inspects services for looked after children and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team,

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Information about this inspection

The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Information about this inspection

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

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Information about this inspection

Store Street Manchester M1 2WD T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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