Children's home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Lancaster

Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 1 SC479632

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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 operated by a private company and provides care for up to five children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The home registered with Ofsted in August 2014. The manager registered in February 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of this inspection, two children were living at the home. Both children were spoken to during the inspection.

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Inspection date: 16 September 2025

Judgement at last inspection: inadequate

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Inspection date: 16 September 2025

Enforcement action since last inspection: a restriction of accommodation notice was issued after the last inspection.

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Information about this inspection

At this inspection, the inspector evaluated:

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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: SC479632 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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Findings from the inspection

Children’s risk assessments are regularly reviewed. Risk assessments include the most up-to-date information in relation to children’s vulnerabilities. There are strategies for staff to reduce risks to children.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s behaviour support plans include potential triggers to specific behaviour and strategies that staff can use to respond effectively when children are in crisis. This helps staff to meet children’s needs.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff benefit from access to a comprehensive programme of training. This helps to improve their knowledge and skills. Training is tailored to support children’s specific needs. This improves staff care practices.

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Findings from the inspection

Leaders and managers demonstrate oversight by reviewing children’s plans and records. This ensures staff care for children in line with their care plans. This promotes accountability and ensures that care planning remains aligned with each child’s individual needs and the home’s statutory responsibilities.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager implements safe recruitment procedures to ensure that only individuals deemed suitable to work with children are employed. However, on one occasion, the manager did not complete a risk assessment in relation to staff conduct after employment. This limits their ability to fully evaluate and monitor staff suitability to care for children.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager ensures that all incidents are promptly reviewed and evaluated, with clear oversight and reflection to identify learning and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. This approach supports a culture of continuous improvement and promotes the safety and well-being of children living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

Children’s health needs are well supported by staff. Staff ensure that both routine and specialist health requirements are consistently met. This includes ensuring they have good communication with relevant professionals. Staff respond promptly to any emerging health concerns for children. As a result, children benefit from a proactive and responsive approach to their physical and emotional well-being.

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Findings from the inspection

The registered manager ensures that serious incidents are reported promptly and in line with regulatory requirements. This enables the regulator to maintain appropriate oversight and ensures transparency in safeguarding practices.

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Findings from the inspection

Physical interventions are used infrequently due to the home’s nurturing and proactive approach to behaviour management. Staff are skilled in using a range of de-escalation and distraction techniques to reduce the need for physical intervention. When restraint is necessary, records are generally of good quality. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 3 However, they do not consistently detail the type of hold used or which staff were involved. This lack of clarity limits the manager’s ability to fully evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager has responded to previous requirements and has made significant improvements since the previous inspection. All previous requirements and recommendations have been met. Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

24/06/2025 Full Inadequate 24/04/2024 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/06/2023 Full Good 14/02/2023 Full Requires improvement to be good Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that records of restraint are kept and that all records are clear and include the description of any hold used and the details of who is involved in each hold. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 49, paragraph 9.59)  The registered person should ensure they maintain good employment practice. They should ensure that any concerns identified during the recruitment process are reviewed regularly to ensure the risk is being managed. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 61, paragraph 13.1) Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 6

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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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Inspector

James Meeks, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children's home: SC479632 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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