Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancaster

Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 1 SC479632 Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

The home is registered to provide care for up to five children with social and/or emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in 2014. The registered manager post has been vacant since October 2022.

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Information about this children’s home

Three children were living at the home at the time of this inspection.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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requires improvement to be good

How well children and young people are helped and protected requires improvement to be good

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requires improvement to be good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers inadequate

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requires improvement to be good

The children’s home is not yet delivering good help and care for children and young people. However, there are no serious or widespread failures that result in their welfare not being safeguarded or promoted.

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requires improvement to be good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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requires improvement to be good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

06/06/2023 Full Good 14/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good 15/03/2022 Full Good 04/09/2019 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 3

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improvement to be good

The children are making some progress and have some positive experiences. However, these are limited by the lack of understanding the staff have and the poor oversight given by leaders and managers.

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improvement to be good

The needs of children moving into the home are not fully considered and understood. As a result, staff have been unable to meet the needs of two children living in the home and their placements have been ended at short notice.

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improvement to be good

The home environment, including children’s bedrooms, is sparse and lacks warmth. Not all children have adequate storage. One child’s bed was damaged. However, a new bed was delivered to the home during the inspection. An occupation therapist has made a number of recommendations to improve the physical environment for one child. However, only one of these has been implemented. The child is mobile around the home and told inspectors that they were pleased with their rom, which had been moved to the top floor of the home close to other children. However, other professionals were not aware of the change, which would have ensured appropriate consultation and consideration of the child’s needs.

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improvement to be good

Children do not attend full-time education. Those who do not have a school place do have some form of tuition. However, leaders and manager were not clear of the arrangements. Inspectors were able to confirm that one child has tutoring in the local library, providing a formal space away from the home. These sessions are supported by staff from the home.

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improvement to be good

Children are registered with health services. However, one child missed a dental appointment and, as a result, they are no longer registered with the dentist. Children’s health needs are not understood or fully considered before they move into the home. Children came to live at the home with identified needs relating to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and self-harm behaviour. However, not all staff were equipped with the knowledge to manage those needs. Staff do not consult with specialist health professionals in making decisions about children’s health needs.

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improvement to be good

Children know how to make a complaint and are supported to access independent advocacy services to ensure their views are heard.

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improvement to be good

Children are supported to develop relationships with family members when it is safe to do so. One child who had no contact with a sibling is now in touch with them, and staff spend time together with the child and their sibling.

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improvement to be good

Children are building trusted relationships with staff. They are provided with opportunities to take part in activities they enjoy, some of which are new to them. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 4

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improvement to be good

The safeguarding arrangements at the home are not sufficiently robust.

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improvement to be good

Children’s risk management plans and care plans do not take account of their current risks and past experiences, or the risks children may pose to each other. Furthermore, leaders, managers and staff do not have sufficient understanding of children’s risks and how their past experiences may impact on them. This compromises the quality of children’s care and safeguarding practice.

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improvement to be good

Children have individualised behaviour plans. However, leaders, managers and staff do not consider and understand children’s behaviours in the context of their life experiences. Children are not supported to manage their behaviour and feelings safely.

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improvement to be good

As a last resort, children are physically held to keep themselves and others safe. However, records of these holds do not contain the information required by regulation, indicating poor oversight. Records include details of more than one incident and body maps for children do not give specific details of any injuries sustained. Children are not always given the opportunity to reflect on the incident with a member of staff who was not involved, and records do not indicate whether staff are offered individual debriefs.

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improvement to be good

Since the last inspection, there is one incident of missing from the home. Staff followed the child’s individual missing procedures. However, the missing-from-home record does not include accurate details. Additionally, there is no indication that an independent return home interview took place.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The care provided to children is not in line with the home’s model of care as outlined in the statement of purpose. Staff do not understand the home’s model of care as they have not received relevant training. Staff complete mandatory training but are not provided with additional training bespoke to the needs of the children in their care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

The recruitment of staff is safe, and all necessary checks are completed before staff start work at the home. Staff are undertaking the training to achieve a relevant qualification. The recent recruitment of a registered manager was not successful. The home has not had a registered manager since October 2022.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Supervision gives staff the opportunity to reflect on their practice. However, the frequency of supervision is not in line with that outlined in the statement of purpose. Children offer feedback about staff practice which is shared in supervision with staff to support their development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Management oversight is ineffective. There are gaps in children’s records that leaders and managers have failed to identify and address. Staff have not been provided with the Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 5 necessary training and support they require to meet children’s needs. Incomplete information in children’s records means that leaders and managers do not fully understand and evaluate staff practice to identify and address areas required for improvement. Staff’s practice is not routinely evaluated through regular supervision which prevents managers from identifying areas of improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: inadequate

Leaders and managers have not demonstrated that they have taken appropriate action to address the shortfalls identified at previous inspections. All requirements raised at the last inspection are restated. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 6

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Statutory requirements

This section sets out the actions that the registered person(s) must take to meet the Care Standards Act 2000, The 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.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

lead and manage the home in a way that is consistent with the approach and ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications, and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

understand the impact that the quality of care provided in the home is having on the progress and experiences of each child and use this understanding to inform the development of the quality of care provided in the home;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

use monitoring and review systems to make continuous improvements in the quality of care provided in the home. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b) ((2)(a)(c)(f)(g)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that all staff have the necessary training to implement the home’s model of care as outlined in the statement of purpose and that this is embedded in practice. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 7 The registered person must ensure that staff receive supervision in line with the statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff understand and can meet children’s individual needs.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that monitoring and review systems are clear and robust.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must have effective oversight of the home. All incident records must be reviewed and evaluated in a timely manner to identify any gaps in recording, shortfalls in staff practice and areas for development and learning.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

*The care planning standard is that children—

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Requirement Due date

receive effectively planned care in or through the children’s home; and

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Requirement Due date

have a positive experience of arriving at or moving on from the home.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

that children are admitted to the home only if their needs are within the range of needs of children for whom it is intended that the home is to provide care and accommodation, as set out in the home’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure the effective induction of each child into the home;

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Requirement Due date

that each child’s relevant plans are followed. (Regulation 14 (1)(a)(b) (2)(a)(b)(i)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children move in and out of the home in a sensitive manner. Children should have a positive experience when leaving the home through a planned transition. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 8 The registered person must ensure that the needs of children moving into the home are thoroughly understood and considered before they move in.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children’s health and education needs are fully understood by leaders, managers, and staff.

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Requirement Due date

Leaders and managers must ensure that children’s health and education needs are met.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

manage relationships between children to prevent them from harming each other;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm;

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Requirement Due date

that the premises used for the purposes of the home are designed, furnished, and maintained so as to protect each child from avoidable hazards to the child’s health. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that children’s risk management plans consider all known and potential risks to children. Leaders, managers, and staff must understand and minimise risks to children. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 9 The registered person must ensure that decisions made do not result in risks increasing for children.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff receive the necessary training to understand and respond to risk.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that the home environment is designed and maintained so children are not exposed to any hazards.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

within 24 hours of the use of a measure of control, discipline, or restraint in relation to a child in the home, a record is made which includes—

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Requirement Due date

details of the child’s behaviour leading to the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the date, time, and location of the use of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

a description of the measure and its duration;

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Requirement Due date

details of any methods used, or steps taken to avoid the need to use the measure;

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Requirement Due date

the effectiveness and any consequences of the use of the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

a description of any injury to the child or any other person, and any medical treatment administered, as a result of the measure;

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Requirement Due date

within 48 hours of the use of the measure, the registered person, or a person who is authorised by the registered person to do so (“the authorised person”)—

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Requirement Due date

has spoken to the user about the measure; and

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Requirement Due date

has signed the record to confirm it is accurate; and

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Requirement Due date

within 5 days of the use of the measure, the registered person or the authorised person adds to the record confirmation that they have spoken to the child about the measure. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 10 (Regulation 35 (3)(a)(ii)(iii)(iv)(v)(vii)(viii)(b)(i)(ii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a separate record is completed for all incidents when children have been physically held, and the record must include all relevant details.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that when a child has been physically held, they are given the opportunity to talk to a member of staff who was not involved in the intervention.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated.

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Requirement Due date

The education standard is that children make measurable progress towards achieving their educational potential and are helped to do so.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

help each child to achieve the child’s education and training targets, as recorded in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

support each child’s learning and development, including helping the child to develop independent study skills and, where appropriate, helping the child to complete independent study;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand the importance and value of education, learning, training, and employment;

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to appropriate equipment, facilities, and resources to support the child’s learning. (Regulation 8 (1)(a)(i)(ii)(iv)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that any child not attending education is given a routine that provides opportunities for learning.

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that staff have an understanding of the educational needs of children and are provided with the necessary resources to enhance children’s learning.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 11 The health and well-being standard is that—

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Requirement Due date

the health and well-being needs of children are met;

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Requirement Due date

children receive advice, services, and support in relation to their health and well-being; and

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Requirement Due date

children are helped to lead healthy lifestyles.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

understand the child’s health and well-being needs and the options that are available in relation to the child’s health and well-being, in a way that is appropriate to the child’s age and understanding;

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Requirement Due date

take part in activities, and attend any appointments, for the purpose of meeting the child’s health and well-being needs; and

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Requirement Due date

that each child has access to such dental, medical, nursing, psychiatric and psychological advice, treatment, and other services as the child may require. (Regulation 10 (1)(a)(c) (2)(a)(ii)(iii)(c))

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Requirement Due date

The registered manager must ensure that children are provided with a diet that is healthy and appropriate to their individual needs.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must consult with specialist health professionals in respect of any decisions made about the provision of children’s medication.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure staff are provided with the relevant information and training to meet children’s health needs.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that children are taken to all health appointments and, if this is not possible, contact should be made before the appointment to rearrange it.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 August 2024 Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 12 The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

strive to gain each child’s respect and trust;

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Requirement Due date

understand how children’s previous experiences and present emotions can be communicated through behaviour and have the competence and skills to interpret these and develop positive relationships with children;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(vi)(viii)(ix)(x))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff respond to children’s behaviours in light of their life experiences and any additional needs they have.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that staff have the skills to manage children’s behaviours.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement was made at the last inspection and is restated. 31 August 2024

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 13 Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, 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’. Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 14

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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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Inspectors

Sarah Jackson, Social Care Inspector Andrea Foreman, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: SC479632 15 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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