Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 1 Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The home is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers care for up to two children who experience social and emotional difficulties.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

The previous manager left the home in January 2025. The current manager is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

p.1

Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home.

p.1

Inspection date: 24 March 2025

Date of last inspection: 29 October 2024

p.1

Inspection date: 24 March 2025

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

p.1

Inspection date: 24 March 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

p.1

Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

p.1

Information about this inspection

 the care of children  the safety of children  the effectiveness of leaders and managers. The inspector has 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: 2638535 2

p.1

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.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

There have been changes to the management team in the home, which includes a new manager. The manager is supported by a deputy manager. One member of staff said, ‘The manager and deputy work well together.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The home is well decorated and comfortable. Staff help children personalise their bedrooms.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Since the last inspection, one child has moved on from the home. The child living in the home has developed trusting relationships with staff. The manager and staff are working closely together to provide stability and consistency for the child.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff have a thorough understanding of the child’s experiences, which helps them to tailor their practice to meet the child’s individual needs. The child’s risk assessment is regularly updated and reviewed and includes all relevant information.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff communicate regularly with the child about any concerns and risks, which helps them to understand how to keep themselves safe.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The child living in the home is in full-time education. Communication has improved between staff and the child’s education provider, which promotes education.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff support the relationships between the child and their family. Staff work alongside family members and other services to ensure that the time the child spends with family is safe. This provides the child with a support network to safely maintain relationships with people who are important to them.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff understand children’s health needs and ensure that they have access to specialist services when required. Medication is stored appropriately.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Quality assurance and monitoring systems have been reviewed, and oversight of the home has improved. Monitoring systems help the manager to provide positive feedback as well as identify areas of development.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Staff feel well supported and are more confident in supporting the child who lives at the home. Staff receive regular supervision. One member of staff said, ‘My supervisions are regular and done by the deputy manager.’

p.2

Findings from the inspection

Team meetings are not held regularly. This is a missed opportunity for staff to reflect on practice and the day-to-day care of the child. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 3 Better systems are in place to monitor the training that staff receive. Staff have access to additional support, training, and development opportunities. However, training on professional boundaries could further enhance staff practice.

p.2

Findings from the inspection

The new manager has responded to previous requirements and made improvements since the previous inspection. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 4

p.3

Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

29/10/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 30/08/2023 Full Good 25/10/2022 Full Good 08/03/2022 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 5

p.4

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.

p.5

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.5

Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work as a team where appropriate;

p.5

Requirement Due date

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

p.5

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; and

p.5

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)(b)(c)(f)(h))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that team meetings are regular and demonstrate how staff reflect on their practice as a team. 2 May 2025

p.5

Recommendation

 The registered person should understand the key role they play in the training and development of staff in the home. They should ensure that staff have access Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 6 to appropriate facilities and resources to support their training needs. This specifically relates to professional boundaries training. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards,’ page 39, paragraph 10.11) Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 7

p.5

Children’s home details

Registered provider: Hopscotch Care Limited

p.7

Children’s home details

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

p.7

Inspector

Stacey Ilaboya, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2638535 8 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.

p.7

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 .

p.8

Inspector

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.8

Inspector

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

p.8

Inspector

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

p.8