Children's Home run by Hopscotch Care Limited in Westmorland and Furness

Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 1 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

This home is operated by a private provider. It provides care for up to 3 children who may experience emotional and social difficulties. At the time of the inspection, one child lived in the home, and they were spoken with during the inspection. One child has moved out since the last inspection.

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Information about this children’s home

The home was registered on 23 August 2023. The manager registered with Ofsted in February 2026.

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Information about this children’s home

The inspector was aware during this inspection that a serious incident that occurred at the setting since the last inspection is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the inspection to inform the inspector’s judgements.

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Inspection date: 13 August 2026

Judgement at last inspection: requires improvement to be good

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Inspection date: 13 August 2026

Enforcement action since last inspection: none

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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 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 2 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: 2742263 3

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Findings from the inspection

This inspection was brought forward in order to address specific concerns relating to allegations received by Ofsted.

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Findings from the inspection

Managers are responsive in safeguarding children when concerns arise about staff practice. Clear actions are taken in response to any allegations or complaints from children. When concerns arise, information is appropriately shared with relevant professionals and thorough investigations are completed.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff are effective in supporting children in their education. They have supported one child in their college application and to attend a school that is not local to the home. This is helping the child make progress in their education and feel valued.

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Findings from the inspection

Children develop some positive relationships with staff. Children are helped to explore their identity and interests without judgement, which helps to provide them with a sense of security.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff know the children and their risks. However, when children are upset and in need of support, staff do not always follow the guidance in children’s behaviour management plans to try de-escalating the situation. Furthermore, staff do not always provide children with consistent routines and boundaries. This inconsistent practice can cause confusion and upset to children and, on occasions, has led to restraint being used that hurt a child. The restraint was not used as a last resort due to a lack of preventative measures taking place. The manager’s reviews of incidents identify some shortfalls in staff practice but not in all areas. This means that shortfalls are not always addressed.

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Findings from the inspection

Staff respond effectively when children go missing from home. Information is shared with the wider professional network, and actions are taken that help to secure the safety of the child. Children are supported through meaningful conversations that help them to understand risks.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager is aware of the home’s strengths and areas for improvement and has implemented a plan to improve practice. The manager completes regular, reflective supervision sessions with staff about their wellbeing, and when he identifies shortfalls in practice, he takes action. However, supervision sessions do not include discussion about the children living in the home.

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Findings from the inspection

The manager ensures that all staff complete necessary training before a child moves into the home. This helps staff have the skills needed to meet the child’s specific needs and manage risks.

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Findings from the inspection

The quality of working relationships between staff and children’s professional networks and families is inconsistent. Weekly updates are not routinely completed, resulting in information about children not always being known by the relevant people. Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 4

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Inspection date Inspection type Inspection judgement

27/04/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 06/01/2026 Full Requires improvement to be good 03/09/2025 Full Inadequate 11/03/2025 Full Good Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 5

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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.

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Requirement Due date

The protection of children standard is that children are protected from harm and enabled to keep themselves safe.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

assess whether each child is at risk of harm, taking into account information in the child’s relevant plans, and, if necessary, make arrangements to reduce the risk of any harm to the child;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to understand how to keep safe;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

understand the roles and responsibilities in relation to protecting children that are assigned to them by the registered person;

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Requirement Due date

that the home’s day-to-day care is arranged and delivered so as to keep each child safe and to protect each child effectively from harm. (Regulation 12 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(v)(b)) 8 October 2026

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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—

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Requirement Due date

helps children aspire to fulfil their potential; and

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 8 October 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 6 ensure that staff have the experience, qualifications and skills to meet the needs of each child;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the home has sufficient staff to provide care for each child;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

demonstrate that practice in the home is informed and improved by taking into account and acting on—

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Requirement Due date

feedback on the experiences of children, including complaints received. (Regulation 13 (1)(b) (2)(c)(d)(f)(g)(ii))

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Requirement Due date

The positive relationships standard is that children are helped to develop, and to benefit from, relationships based on—

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Requirement Due date

an understanding about acceptable behaviour; and

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Requirement Due date

positive responses to other children and adults.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

meet each child’s behavioural and emotional needs, as set out in the child’s relevant plans;

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Requirement Due date

help each child to develop socially aware behaviour;

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Requirement Due date

are provided with supervision and support to enable them to understand and manage their own feelings and responses to the behaviour and emotions of children, and to help children to do the same;

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Requirement Due date

de-escalate confrontations with or between children, or potentially violent behaviour by children. (Regulation 11 (1)(a)(b)(c) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(x)(xi)) 8 October 2026 Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 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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Inspector

Amey Henry, Social Care Inspector Assurance inspection report for children’s home: 2742263 8 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.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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