Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancaster

children and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged as requires improvement at the full inspection. At this interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness . The home is effectively led and managed by a qualified and experienced manager. She has applied for and is presently awaiting registration with Ofsted to become the home’s registered manager. Some delay has occurred in this process, but this is not completely the fault of the provider. The manager is passionate and ambitious for the young people in her care and expects the same of her staff team. Her strong leadership approach has been influential in improving the quality of care provided and ensuring young people’s safety. At the last inspection, a number of requirements and recommendations were made. These have all been suitably addressed. The home has reviewed and updated its statement of purpose to ensure that there is clarity about its purpose and the quality of care that can be expected. Young people’s care planning is

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

comprehensive, ensuring that the full range of their needs are identified and acted on. Individual risk assessments and behaviour management planning are more robust. This is proving more effective in supporting and keeping young people safe. Since the last inspection, the incidence of young people going missing from the home has significantly reduced, as have the occasions when physical intervention has been necessary. The home has reviewed and improved its admission process. This means that careful attention is being given to match young people’s needs with what the home can offer and the needs of those young people already placed. This has resulted in a more settled home environment, and significantly fewer incidents are reported to Ofsted. Young people enjoy good and positive relationships with staff. They believe that staff genuinely care for them and they said that they appreciate the support they

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

receive. One young person commented, ‘Staff are really nice, but I sometimes bicker. Sometimes I am wrong, and sometimes I’m in a bad mood. No matter what, they are still there for you. I can talk to any staff. I like them helping me. They push us all, and they praise our achievements. I trust them all loads. They make me think to help me sort things out. I am happy and I feel safe.’ Staff have made significant improvements in supporting young people to re-engage with education and have encouraged them successfully to acquire a renewed interest in their learning. One social worker commented, ‘They really bent over backwards to have him engage with education. He has a bespoke package now to meet his needs.’ For one young person, this has meant regular attendance in education after a considerable period of absence. Additionally, she has chosen to volunteer her help with the school breakfast club and has discovered new

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

aspirations for her future. Other young people have made similar achievements and feel more positive about their futures. Young people are encouraged to enjoy a wide range of activities and follow their personal interests. This involves some in attending army cadets and playing with local football teams, as well as other sports, such as snooker and fishing. This helps them to socialise with their peers in the community, building their confidence and self-esteem. As a result, young people are demonstrating greater maturity and resilience. The home is comfortable and has a warm, homely feel. Young people are encouraged to arrange their bedrooms to their preference and personalise them with their belongings. Consequently, young people take pride in their home and are developing a real sense of belonging. One young person commented, ‘They have said they are going to miss me when I leave. Staff care about me.’

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

The home’s recruitment and selection process has been reviewed to ensure that it is sufficiently robust and fit for purpose. All staff complete a comprehensive induction programme and receive regular supervision and training opportunities. Familiarity with the home’s safeguarding and whistleblowing policies is prioritised, so that staff know how to raise concerns should they feel the need to do so. These measures contribute to young people’s safety and ensure that staff are well supported in their roles. Good arrangements exist to ensure that the performance of the home is appropriately monitored and on track to provide young people with the appropriate care and support that they require. Both the manager and the home’s independent visitor work cooperatively, striving to achieve high standards of care. Ofsted receives regular reports from the independent visitor and a six-monthly review report from the manager. These successfully promote transparency in how the

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children and young people since the most recent full inspection

home is operating between inspections. Placing authorities and other professionals express satisfaction with the home. One professional commented, ‘This is the best placement by far. There were some issues at the start, but this young person has now settled. I have seen a drastic improvement. There has only been one occasion when she went missing, and this was when she first moved here. She feels safe and has a good relationship with staff. This is the only secure and safe place she has had.’

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Information about this children’s home

 The home is registered to accommodate up to five young people who have emotional and behavioural problems  It is operated by a private organisation.  The home offers emergency, medium-and long-term placements for young people.

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Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

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Recent inspection history

29/01/2016 Interim Sustained 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 that 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 whom 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 children looked after 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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