Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancaster

Inspection report children's home: SC479632 1 SC479632 Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited Interim inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This is a privately run children’s home that provides care and accommodation for up to five young people who have emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

This home was judged good at the last full inspection.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

At the interim inspection, Ofsted judges that it has improved effectiveness.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Since the last inspection, the service has demonstrated continued improvement in its quality of care for young people. The two requirements and two recommendations made at the last inspection have been appropriately addressed. This demonstrates the registered manager’s commitment to improving the service.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Young people have good experiences and make good progress across some aspects of their lives. This is because they live in a supportive home environment which provides them with structure and routine. Young people are fully engaged with their individual education provisions, have good attendance and are progressing well in line with their abilities. When educational progress is interrupted, there is clear evidence that every effort is made to challenge barriers and promote young people’s participation. There is an expectation that young people attend school, and support is in place for them to do so. Inspection report children's home: SC479632 2 Young people become increasingly safe, because staff really understand the risks associated with their behaviour. Incidents of young people going missing from home have been significantly reduced. This represents considerable progress for one young person, who was frequently missing and putting herself at considerable risk prior to

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff are proactive in working in partnership with the police and other professional stakeholders. This ensures that there is a well-coordinated response to keeping young people safe. Placing authorities recognise staff’s efforts to safeguard young people. One social worker said: ‘The staff have done an amazing job. They have got X (young person) to a place where she trusts adults. Because of this, X is making more-informed decisions about her personal safety and the risks have reduced. She’s in a different place now, and this is because of the care and support she receives.’

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Staff have good insight into young people’s specific needs and consistently foster positive qualities, and this helps young people to feel good about themselves and promotes their self-esteem. Staff understand young people’s behaviour, which means that they are able to de-escalate situations quickly. As a result, physical intervention is rarely necessary. However, when physical intervention has been used, the registered manager ensures that there is a thorough debriefing and the young people understand why they needed to be held.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

Established systems are followed effectively in response to any allegations, unsafe practice or suspicion of abuse. The records demonstrate that the manager is rigorous in the management of allegations or concerns about staff practice. She has ensured that action is taken quickly and in consultation with appropriate external agencies in order to support the young person living at the home.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

There are sufficient staffing levels at the home. This ensures that each young person’s individual needs can be met. Staff talk positively about working at the home and feel well supported to deliver a high standard of care. Regular team meetings, monthly supervision and relevant training ensure that staff practice remains effective.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

The registered manager has a good understanding of the strengths of the home and areas for ongoing development. Areas for improvement are clearly identified and action plans are implemented within clear timeframes. This demonstrates the manager’s ability to drive developments for the benefit of the young people placed.

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and young people since the most recent full inspection

To conclude, this is a well-managed home and young people are making good progress. There are no requirements or recommendations made as a result of this inspection. Inspection report children's home: SC479632 3

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

20/06/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/06/2016 Full Requires improvement 29/01/2016 Interim Sustained effectiveness

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people. Inspectors considered the quality of work and the difference made to the lives of children and young people. They watched how professional staff work with children and young people and each other and discussed the effectiveness of help and care provided. Wherever possible, they talked to children and 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.

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Information about this inspection

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

Using the ‘Social care common inspection framework’, this inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, 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’.

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: 19 Lancaster Road, Carnforth, Lancashire LA5 9LD

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Inspector

Ceri Evans, social care inspector Inspection report children's home: SC479632 4 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, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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