Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancaster

Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 1 SC479632

p.1

Hopscotch Care Limited

Monitoring visit Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

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.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the interim inspection in March 2018, the home was judged to have improved in its effectiveness. No requirements or recommendations were set at that time.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this monitoring visit was to explore concerns received by Ofsted in relation to the turnover of managers, the arrangements for keeping young people safe, meeting educational needs, the arrangements for seeking police assistance and staff’s use of the home’s whistle-blowing policy.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The inspector found that a new permanent manager has been in place since early August 2018, although he is subject to an assessment of fitness by Ofsted, and an application for registration has not yet been submitted. At the visit, he recognised the shortfalls, which he had started to address.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Regarding the arrangements for keeping young people safe, the inspector established that there are sufficient measures in place to protect young people and mitigate risk. Individual risk assessments are in place, demonstrating the prevention and intervention strategies to be implemented by staff. The inspector found that in practice staff are taking responsive action through key-work sessions and updating risk assessments as incidents occur. Risk assessments, however, do not include the risk of harmful sexual behaviour. The manager has identified this risk and will ensure that impact risk assessments are completed prior to any admissions taking place.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The recent admission of a young female was poorly planned. Although the pre- admission meeting took place with the placing authority, there was no documentation to demonstrate the impact on other young people living at the home. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 2 The placing authority of another young person currently resident at the home was not notified about the admission, raising further concerns about the lack of effective care planning. The placement of the young person was short-lived and was terminated quickly due to significant behavioural problems that impacted on other young people living at the home.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The provision of waking night staff contributes to keeping all young people safe, for example by minimising the risk of young people entering each other’s bedrooms. Staff also call for police assistance appropriately when the need arises. The manager is supportive of this approach, particularly where staff may be subject to being assaulted by young people, or where there might be a compromise in terms of young people’s safety.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The inspector identified that there are challenges experienced by staff regarding the resistance of young people engaging in regular educational based programmes. For example, one young person now has a suitable educational placement which starts in early 2019. In the meantime, he attends a scheme ‘Inspira’, which provides a ‘ready for work’ programme that includes valuable mathematics and literacy skills input, thus aiding self-confidence and improving on his life chances. There is a programme of structured activities available for young people who are preparing for adulthood. Young people learn about the tasks involved in living independently such as budgeting, paying bills and banking, through the support and direction of staff.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The inspector identified that some young people do lie in bed during the daytime hours. Staff are proactive in encouraging them to get up, reinforcing the importance of their education and participation in the home’s programme of activities. This was achieved during the visit and was evident in the key-work sessions. The young people spoken to were polite, respectful and communicative. One young person told the inspector that she had made a complaint but nobody had explained the outcome. This was highlighted to the manager and taken action was initiated. At the time of the visit, Ofsted had not been notified about the manager’s return to work or about the outcome of the internal investigation that had been undertaken prior to the visit, although a notification has since been received.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are aware that there is a whistle-blowing policy in place and they act accordingly and know where to raise concerns. The manager is keen to promote a culture of openness and transparency among the team, providing opportunities for staff to express any issues they may have at one-to-one supervisions, team meetings or on an ad hoc basis. He also fully endorses the whistle-blowing policy and would encourage staff to use this if they felt it was necessary. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 3

p.2

Recent inspection history

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement 14/03/2018 Interim Improved effectiveness 20/06/2017 Full Good 30/03/2017 Interim Improved effectiveness 08/06/2016 Full Requires improvement Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 4

p.3

Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet 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 within the given timescales.

p.4

Requirement Due date

The children’s views, wishes and feelings standard is that children receive care from staff who—

p.4

Requirement Due date

(a) develop positive relationships with them; (b) engage with them; and (c) take their views, wishes and feelings into account in relation to matters affecting the children’s care and welfare and their lives. 16/01/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

The leadership and management standard is that the registered person enables, inspires and leads a culture in relation to the children’s home that—

p.4

Requirement Due date

(a) helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and (b) promotes their welfare.

p.4

Requirement Due date

(2) In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

(b) ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate. 16/01/2019

p.4

Requirement Due date

The care planning standard is that children—

p.4

Requirement Due date

(a) receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and (b) have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home. 16/01/2019

p.4

Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to monitor the action taken and the progress made by the children’s home since its last Ofsted inspection.

p.4

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 5

p.4

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

p.5

Children’s home details

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

p.5

Inspector

Michael Charnley, social care inspector Inspection report for children’s home - monitoring visit: SC479632 6 to 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.

p.5

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, 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 http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.6

Inspector

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

p.6

Inspector

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: http://www.gov.uk/ofsted

p.6