Children's home run by Rockhopper Children’s Services Limited

Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 1 Registered provider: Rockhopper Children’s Services Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home is owned by a private provider and cares for up to three children who may experience social and emotional difficulties.

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Information about this children’s home

The manager registered with Ofsted in July 2025.

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Information about this children’s home

The registered provider has recently appointed a new responsible individual, and we are currently checking this person has the relevant capacity, experience and skills to carry out the role.

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Information about this children’s home

At the time of the inspection, one child was living at the home. The inspector met and spoke with the child.

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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: not previously inspected

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: not applicable Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children live in a warm, welcoming and well-maintained environment where they feel safe and cared for. Spaces are clean, orderly and free from health and safety concerns. Communal areas are well organised and provide positive opportunities for relaxation and play. Bedrooms are spacious, comfortably furnished and thoughtfully prepared, supporting children to settle quickly. However, the limited display of personal photographs and memorabilia in shared spaces slightly reduces opportunities to promote children’s identity and sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children speak openly with staff and show that they feel comfortable and listened to. One child described largely positive experiences and said they enjoy living here. They shared some concerns about staff responses during a recent community incident and expressed frustration about boundaries around mobile phone use, indicating that expectations could be communicated more clearly. The child is currently not accessing education; however, they clearly expressed a wish to do so and spoke positively about their aspirations. Staff are aware of this and are working with relevant professionals to explore suitable options. Positively, the child also spoke enthusiastically about their interests, particularly music, and about family time, demonstrating growing self-reflection and engagement with future goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Children’s meetings take place regularly and provide a structured forum for sharing views and influencing daily routines. Children engage well and benefit from the predictability these meetings bring, which supports emotional stability and helps them feel heard.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Key-working sessions are completed consistently and written directly to children, making them accessible and meaningful. Sessions focus appropriately on individual risks and emotional needs, helping children develop insight into their behaviour and make progress in safety and wellbeing. Staff embed a therapeutic PACE approach effectively, creating a nurturing and reflective tone.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

When children are unable to remain here due to increased risk, staff act in their best interests. One child’s departure followed escalating concerns that could not be safely managed despite multi-agency involvement. Staff supported a planned move sensitively, maintaining contact, returning belongings and providing a clear, child-friendly explanation. Overall, staff build warm, trusting relationships that help children feel understood, valued and safe.

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

Children are helped and protected through consistent and effective safeguarding practice. Episodes of children going missing from care are well managed, with staff following clear procedures and notifying all relevant agencies promptly. Local searches are thorough and well recorded. On return, children receive supportive debrief Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 3 discussions that explore experiences, identify push and pull factors and consider safeguarding concerns, ensuring learning informs future planning.

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

Physical intervention is used rarely and only as a last resort. This reflects a strong emphasis on de-escalation and meeting emotional needs. Incidents are reviewed reflectively, with oversight that considers the underlying causes of behaviour and identifies learning points to improve practice.

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

Risk assessments and behaviour support plans are clear, detailed and trauma informed. They provide staff with structured guidance for early intervention, crisis response and recovery. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of these plans and apply them consistently to manage complex risks.

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

Behaviour records show staff maintain close supervision, reinforce boundaries and use de-escalation techniques even during frequent or rapidly escalating incidents. Leaders provide strong oversight, tracking patterns, identifying triggers and seeking clinical advice where needed. However, some children continue to present with high-risk behaviours, meaning safety relies on sustained supervision, coordinated multi-agency working and regular review.

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

Staff responses to incidents are timely and focused on protecting children from harm. Police involvement is sought appropriately when risks escalate, alongside reassurance and reflective follow-up work. Oversight is analytical and responsive, though some children report they do not always understand what adults are doing in the moment to keep them safe. In addition, some recording uses overly institutional language. Leaders have identified this and are working to ensure records consistently reflect child-friendly, trauma-informed practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The registered manager provides strong and effective leadership. She is appropriately qualified and has a clear understanding of strengths and areas for development. A cohesive and supportive staff team has been established, where staff feel confident to seek guidance. Consistent routines and nurturing relationships have contributed to reductions in risk-taking behaviour and improvements in emotional wellbeing. Safeguarding arrangements are proactive and well-coordinated, supported by effective multi-agency working and timely safety planning. While recruitment remains challenging, staff retention is strong and training is prioritised, contributing to stability.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Parents speak positively about the care provided and express confidence in leadership. One parent described the environment as welcoming and well maintained and valued the regular communication from staff. They reported their child is settled, happy with their bedroom and benefits from meaningful activities, particularly music related. Feedback reflects strong relationships, effective communication and a supportive, non-punitive approach to care. Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 4 Professionals describe collaborative and responsive working relationships. They highlight clear communication, flexibility and willingness to engage at short notice. Staff are recognised for supporting a child through a difficult settling-in period, contributing to reduced missing episodes and fewer conflicts. Leaders are also praised for progressing education planning and supporting access to meaningful activities that promote

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

children’s confidence and emotional expression.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Strong systems support staff development and practice. Training is comprehensive and enhanced by specialist input. Team meetings provide a reflective, child-focused forum to analyse risk and agree clear actions. Supervision is regular and reflective, supporting staff wellbeing, challenge and ongoing development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Management oversight is a clear strength. Leaders provide highly effective, analytical oversight that is informed by a strong understanding of children’s individual needs and vulnerabilities. Incidents and missing episodes are evaluated thoroughly, with learning consistently translated into clear, child-focused actions that strengthen safeguarding practice. Manager’s oversight supports proactive planning around known risk periods and promotes staff consistency through reflective challenge and guidance. Leadership is confident, reflective and strongly focused on continuous improvement, resulting in positive safeguarding outcomes for children. Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff are familiar with the home’s policies on record-keeping and understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. Staff should record information on individual children in a non-stigmatising way that distinguishes between fact, opinion and third-party information. Information about the child must always be recorded in a way that will be helpful to the child. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 62, paragraph 14.4)  The registered person should ensure where children placed in a home are not participating in education because they have been excluded or are not on a school roll for some other reason, the registered person and staff must work closely with the placing authority so that the child is supported and enabled to resume full-time education as soon as possible. In the interim, the child should be supported to sustain

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Recommendations

or regain their confidence in education and be engaged in suitable structured activities. If no education place is identified by the placing authority, the registered person must challenge them to meet the child’s needs. (‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’, page 28, paragraph 5.15)

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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: 2844632 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Rockhopper Children’s Services Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Unit 7, Brook Business Centre, Cowley Mill Road, Cowley, Uxbridge UB8 2FX

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Inspector

Lauren Barwell, Social Care Regulatory Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2844632 7 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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