Children's Home run by Hopedale Children and Family Services Limited in Staffordshire

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC444869 1 SC444869

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Registered provider: Hopedale Children and Family Services Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

A privately owned company runs this home. It is registered to provide care for up to nine children who have had adverse childhood experiences.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 2020 and has the relevant qualification.

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Information about this children’s home

Dates of last inspection: 28 and 29 June 2022

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Information about this children’s home

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Information about this children’s home

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspectors evaluated:

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Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children, using the social care common inspection framework. This assurance 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’. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC444869 2

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Findings from the inspection

We did not identify any serious or widespread concerns in relation to the care or protection of children at this assurance inspection.

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The care of children

At the time of this visit, nine children were living at the home.

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The care of children

Children live in a warm and homely environment. Efforts have been made to improve the aesthetics of the home and children are included in decisions to individualise their personal spaces. Managers have adapted parts of the home to create additional rooms for children who struggle socially, so that they can still relax in the main body of the home with support from staff. This provides children with a safe sense of belonging.

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The care of children

Children’s health needs are well met. Health plans are available that provide relevant information on children’s diagnoses and action plans. External support is sought to provide children with additional support with their mental health and previous life experiences and trauma. Staff complete direct work with children, educating them in the importance of looking after their health needs. This helps children to maintain healthy lifestyles.

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The care of children

Children have positive relationships with the adults who care for them. They are relaxed and happy with staff. Children enjoy a range of activities and are supported to take part in their hobbies, including enjoying having riding lessons. The staff take photos and talk about these events in monthly key-working reviews, helping children to build positive memories.

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The safety of children

When safeguarding concerns arise, staff and managers respond appropriately, in line with the home’s policy and procedures. There is good liaison with and oversight by the local authority children’s services. Records detail the actions taken to help keep children safe. They show that concerns are reviewed quickly and concluded with appropriate actions being taken.

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The safety of children

Medication systems are clear and safe for children. Managers have introduced monitoring systems that provide additional oversight. These have enabled staff to record near misses and actions have been quicky taken.

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The safety of children

Behaviour management is effective. Challenging incidents and incidents of physical intervention have drastically reduced. This is because staff understand how to manage children’s behaviours effectively and successfully de-escalate challenging situations. Staff’s recording of incidents is now compliant with regulation. Staff and children have regular debriefs following all incidents. This work supports learning Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC444869 3 after incidents and provides staff with the confidence to support children with complex needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

A permanent, suitably experienced and qualified registered manager leads the home. The manager has ensured that all eight requirements and three recommendations raised at the last inspection have been met. Because of this, children receive good, safe and effective care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has implemented a monthly auditing tool that enables him to maintain effective oversight of the service. This provides him with a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the home.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

In addition to this, the manager has implemented trackers for health and challenging incidents. These provide insight into any potential patterns and trends, which helps improve the quality of care for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The core staff team is given training that meet the needs of the individual children. The manager makes sure that staff take part in additional training to remain up to date with legislation and guidance, including the leadership team taking part in designated safeguarding lead training. The majority of staff hold the required qualification. Plans are in place for the remaining staff to be enrolled following successful probationary periods.

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

28/06/2022 Full Requires improvement to be good 21/03/2022 Interim Sustained effectiveness 22/11/2021 Full Requires improvement to be good 04/11/2019 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC444869 4

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hopedale Children and Family Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Hopedale House, Off West Drive, Cheddleton, Leek, Staffordshire ST13 7ED

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Children’s home details

Responsible individual: Olubunmi Fabusuyi

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Inspectors

Kev Brammer, Social Care Inspector Sam Dulay-Kainth, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC444869 5 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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

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