Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Cumberland

Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 1 Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

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Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private organisation. It provides care for up to two children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home and manager were registered with Ofsted in August 2023.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Date of last inspection: 24 January 2024

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 2

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/01/2024 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported well by the manager and staff, who hold them in high regard. Children have positive relationships with the staff who care for them. Staff demonstrate a good knowledge and understanding of the children’s individual needs. This helps staff to meet the children’s needs well.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The manager and staff have created a safe environment where the children feel listened to and can express their wishes and feelings. One social worker said: ‘[Name of child] is safe, and the staff generally care.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is a relaxed atmosphere in the home. Children personalise their bedrooms. One social worker said: ‘They had gone to so much effort for when [child] arrived, especially around their room, and put their photos in frames.’ The home environment requires some repair work to be completed. The manager has requested that this work be completed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to spend time with people who are important to them. Staff maintain good communication with children’s families and friends. This provides children with a support network where they feel safe to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. One social worker said: ‘Staff really support family time.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children access a range of activities, both inside and outside of the home. Activities include fishing, arts and crafts, swimming, shopping, and playing on games consoles. This supports children to pursue their hobbies and interests.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are supported to develop new skills and become more independent depending on their age and understanding. Staff support children to carry out tasks around the home, including cooking, laundry, and tidying and cleaning their bedrooms, which helps to promote their independence.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children are in good health and staff actively support them to attend health appointments. All children’s healthcare needs are detailed in their plans.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

There is good information-sharing between the staff and children’s education providers. Children’s education is promoted. The manager remains persistent in their attempt to engage children in education. However, there is a lack of structure to the day when children are not in school. This means that there are missed opportunities to support education in the home.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff take time to listen to the children and help them to understand their emotions. This helps children to manage their behaviours more effectively. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 4 There have been occasions when physical intervention was necessary. The manager evaluates physical interventions, ensuring that they are proportionate, and there is reflection with staff and children following incidents.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children have individual risk assessments that are regularly updated by managers and staff. Staff understand the children’s risks and vulnerabilities and take time to talk to children and educate them about risk. However, regular checks of the children’s mobile devices are not completed. This is a missed opportunity to manage and reduce potential risk.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Staff are provided with regular training based on the needs of the children. This includes training in internet safety, county lines and child criminal exploitation. This ensures that staff have the skills and knowledge to support the children’s individual needs. One staff member said: ‘The training is really useful.’

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Positive praise and recognition outweigh negative consequences. The use of natural consequences helps to support the children to restore and rebuild relationships and have a sense of ownership.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The home is managed by a caring and ambitious manager who advocates well for the children and understands their needs. The manager ensures that she is present in the home and accessible to staff and the children. The manager has completed relevant training and has a qualification in leadership and management.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager speaks about the children with warmth and enthusiasm. The children receive good care, support, and guidance from a highly committed, experienced, and nurturing staff team. The balanced and settled staff team promotes consistency and strong attachments for the children. The manager and the staff team are committed to achieving good outcomes for the children and ensuring that they receive the right level of care to meet their individual needs and goals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager recognises the importance of the staff’s need to feel valued and listened to and can adapt her management style to suit different staff needs. Staff are happy in their roles, which helps them to provide good care.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

New staff members feel welcomed and benefit from a robust induction programme. Staff receive ongoing supervision and consistent guidance from the manager. One member of staff said: ‘No matter what, she is always there if you need support and will always listen to you.’ Staff team meetings are regular and well attended and have direct links to research to help support and guide practice. There is an open culture in the home and staff feel they are well supported and listened to. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 5 There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff maintain consistent levels of communication with wider agencies and professionals. One social worker said that they were ‘delighted with the home.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager has a thorough understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. The manager has effective oversight of children’s progress, and any changes needed. Internal and external monitoring of the home are effective. The manager regularly seeks the views of children, professionals, and staff; however, this is not always included in the quality-of-care review. Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff continually and actively assess the risks to each child and the arrangements in place to protect them. In particular, the registered person should ensure that children’s mobile devices are used safely. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 42, paragraph 9.5)  The registered person should ensure that family members and staff are consulted regularly on their views about the home’s care, to inform and support continued improvement in the quality of care provided. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 22, paragraph 4.11)  The registered person should ensure that staff support children to engage in suitable structured activities when they are not in school. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 28, paragraph 5.15)  The registered person should ensure that the home is a nurturing and supportive

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Recommendations

environment that meets the needs of their children. Any damage should be quickly repaired. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 15, paragraph 3.9)

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Information about this inspection

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: 2741833 7

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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

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Justina Henry, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2741833 8 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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Inspectors

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