Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancashire

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

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

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home is effectively led and managed by a Registered Manager that is ably supported by two experienced deputies. They demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the young people they care for and share a strong commitment to provide a high quality of care. Consequently, the home has experienced a very settled period since their last inspection with young people continuing to make good progress in all aspects of their development.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Two requirements were made at the last full inspection of the home in November 2015. These have both been suitably addressed. Staff have improved the quality of recording practice assisted by further training and guidance. They have become more confident and familiar with using the home’s electronic record system that was introduced prior to the last inspection. As a result, young people’s records are generally more detailed, specifically care plans that reflect the expectations to be achieved, the support to be provided and the progress ultimately being made by young people.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

However, during this inspection a shortfall of information was noted to be absent in one young person’s record. This was significant in that staff did not have immediate access to clarify circumstances concerning a particular event. This meant the young person’s record was incomplete and although information was later located, it had not been safely stored.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The Registered Manager further updated the home’s Statement of Purpose and provided Ofsted with a copy as required. Although this does not reflect any major change in the home’s ethos or operation, it means that Ofsted is now aware of care staff changes that have occurred.

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

In addition, one recommendation resulted from the last inspection. The home has provided further behaviour management training to ensure that all staff have been trained and updated in the principles of restraint and restraint techniques. This is reflected in both the home’s comprehensive induction and rolling training programme that is designed to support staff development. Young people acknowledge that they have and benefit from productive relationships with staff. They say they feel listened to; that staff care and that they support them to feel safe and stay safe. There has not been any incidents of young people going missing from this home and staff rarely engage in restraint practice. They are skilled in de-escalating situations that may arise and effectively use the quality of their relationships to avoid conflict. Young people show appropriate respect and consideration for staff and their peers. This is indicative of their

p.2

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

developing maturity and positivity about the home and their carers. One young person commented, ‘The staff here are really good. They have listened to me and helped put me on the straight and narrow.’

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff show considerable warmth and empathy and enjoy spending quality time with young people. For example, young people have recently enjoyed a half-term holiday with staff in London, exploring and sightseeing. Staff encourage young people to make the most of outdoor activities, for some this has included activities such as horse riding and go-karting. Young people report these to have been very enjoyable and exciting opportunities that they may not have ordinarily experienced.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people remain well engaged with their education. Their attendance is excellent and some have made tremendous strides with their learning in comparison to their starting points. Staff maintain close communication with schools and work co-operatively to ensure that young people are appropriately encouraged and supported to learn and develop their skills outside of the school environment.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff successful support young people to maintain contact with those family members and friends that are important to them despite any distance that may exist from their home authority. The home is very accommodating to visiting relatives to ensure that young people have good opportunities to spend quality time together with their family. They facilitate arrangements such as accommodation, transport and activities that help to make the experience a positive one for all involved.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home understands the value of multi-agency planning and support for young people. It sustains a number of effective partnerships with a range of professionals and services who aim to support and assist young people. For example, the home is currently still providing some outreach support for a young person that has moved on from the home. With their support, this young person has been able to make a successful transition, sustained and supported by the co-ordinated efforts of the home and other community services. Staff have continued to support her in meetings and reviews to ensure that her views and wishes are heard and understood.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

Although the home’s monitoring arrangements are generally robust, it was noted during this inspection that the home had omitted to inform Ofsted of two events that met with notification criteria. This deviates from the home’s usual good practice and on these occasions transparency was not promoted.

p.3

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

As a result of this inspection, a further requirement and recommendation are made to address shortfalls identified.

p.4

Information about this children's home

 The home is registered to provide care and accommodation for 5 young people with emotional and/or behavioural difficulties (EBD)  The home is privately owned  The home offers emergency, medium and long term placements for children and young people

p.5

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

p.5

Recent inspection history

13/03/2015 CH - Interim improved effectiveness

p.5

Recent inspection history

03/12/2013 CH - Interim Satisfactory Progress

p.5

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 (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the children's homes regulations including the quality standards. The registered person(s) must comply with the given timescales.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify Ofsted and each other relevant person without delay if there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 40(3)(e)) 31/05/2016

p.6

Recommendations

To improve the quality and standards of care further the service should take account of the following recommendation(s):  All children's case records must be kept up to date and stored securely while in the home. This relates specifically to ensuring that incident reports are routinely written following and incident and stored as part of the child's record that is accessible to all staff. (The Guide to the Quality Standards, page 62 paragraphs 14.3)

p.6

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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 .

p.7

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,

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

Information about this inspection

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

p.8

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

p.8