Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancashire

Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 1 Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

This home is operated by a private provider. It is registered to provide care for up to two children.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in April 2023.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

There was one child living at the home at the time of the inspection.

p.1

Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

p.1

good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

p.1

good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

p.1

good

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

p.1

good

Date of last inspection: 16 January 2024

p.1

good

Overall judgement at last inspection: good

p.1

good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 2

p.1

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

16/01/2024 Full Good 11/10/2022 Full Good 28/06/2022 Full Inadequate 22/03/2022 Full Good Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 3

p.2

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child is supported well and held in high regard by the managers and staff. The child is provided with individualised care, and their needs and behaviour are clearly understood. This helps the child to develop positive attachments with the staff. One professional said, ‘There are some really good relationships with staff.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The home environment is warm and homely. It is clean, tidy, and nicely decorated. The home has clearly benefited from ongoing refurbishment and development. There are photos of the child and staff displayed around the home, and the child’s bedroom is personalised. This helps to give the child a sense of belonging.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child enjoys a range of activities. These include playing on their games console, going to the cinema, going to the gym, and playing football. Staff support the child to become more independent based on their vulnerabilities, capabilities and understanding.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to see family and friends. Staff have good relationships with family members, which helps the child to maintain relationships with people who are important to them. One family member said, ‘I cannot thank the staff enough; they go above and beyond for [name of child] and me.’

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff support the child to attend all health appointments. They complete work with the child around their emotions, health, and hygiene. This supports the child’s emotional health and well-being.

p.3

Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

The child’s education provider and the staff work well together, and education is consistently promoted. The child has engaged well in a work experience programme. The child said, ‘I love going to the kennels. It is my last day tomorrow, and I am going to be in tears. I love playing with the dogs.’

p.3

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

The managers and staff implement a therapeutic approach to the care they provide and regularly speak to the child about their emotions. This helps the child to manage and regulate their emotions.

p.3

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

Staff understand the child’s risks and vulnerabilities. The child’s individual risk assessment is reviewed and updated. Staff communicate regularly with the child about any safeguarding concerns and risky behaviours, which helps the child to understand how to keep themselves safe. This has reduced the number of incidents the child is involved in. Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 4 Staff have a good understanding of the missing-from-home procedures. They actively look for the child when they are missing and liaise with professionals to help minimise risk. Incidents of the child going missing from home are well managed and recorded.

p.3

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

There is good multi-agency working. The manager and staff work closely with professionals to ensure that the child receives an appropriate level of support. One social worker said, ‘Communication is good, and I am kept updated.’

p.4

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

Staff receive regular training. This helps them to support the individual needs of the child. Training includes autism, trauma, harmful sexual behaviour, bereavement, and safeguarding.

p.4

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

Safer recruitment procedures are followed when employing new staff. This means the child is cared for by individuals who are safe to work with children. The manager has assessed the suitability of the home to ensure that the child remains living in a safe area. However, the report does not include the opportunities and support available for the child in the local area.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and has completed a leadership and management qualification. The manager has recently returned from a planned absence. During their absence, the home was managed by the deputy manager.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers and staff speak about the child with warmth and enthusiasm. They are strong advocates for the child in all aspects of their life. One family member said, ‘The manager goes above and beyond.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff team meetings are regular and effective. Team development days have been introduced and are held to further develop staff practice and knowledge. The development days encourage staff to reflect on their practice. Staff apply their learning effectively in their day-to-day work with the child.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The managers have a good understanding of the strengths and areas for development of the home. They also have good oversight of the child’s progress, and any changes required. Management oversight and monitoring of the home are effective.

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff say that are well supported by the managers. One member of staff said, ‘The managers are really supportive, and I can talk to them both about anything.’

p.4

The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Staff have regular supervision in line with the statement of purpose. However, supervision sessions are not always reflective, and feedback is not always included. This is a missed opportunity for staff personal development. Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 5

p.4

Recommendations

 The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location and premises. In particular, the registered person should include opportunities and support available for the children in the local area. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 64, paragraph 15.1)  The registered person should ensure that staff have an opportunity to reflect on their practice during individual supervision sessions. This should be recorded, as appropriate, on the staff supervision record. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 39, paragraph 8.15)

p.5

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: 2617303 6

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

p.6

Children’s home details

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

p.6

Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2617303 7 regulates and inspects 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.6

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 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.7

Inspector

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

p.7

Inspector

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

p.7