Identity Care Housing Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Identity Care Housing Ltd 1 Identity Care Housing Limited

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27 Manchester Road, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 7JD

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is owned and operated by a private provider. The service provides two shared properties that are limited to looked after children and care leavers.

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provider

The registered service manager resigned on 27 February 2024. A new service manager has been appointed and is in the process of registering with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out this monitoring inspection in response to whistle-blowing concerns about staff’s ability to meet children’s individual needs and support them to stay safe.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation has faced a few challenges since registering with Ofsted on 25 January 2024. These include changes to the management of the service and several staff leaving. Senior leaders have been responsive to these challenges by quickly appointing a service manager and actively recruiting staff to fill existing vacancies. This has ensured minimum disruption to children’s overall experiences.

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This monitoring visit

The inspector visited one property where three children live. Individual support maps are used effectively to provide the right levels of support needed to promote independence, while helping children to manage and reduce their risk-taking behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

Staff take a supportive and educational approach to helping children navigate their pathway to independence. They talk to children about their individual circumstances and offer appropriate support that enables children to achieve their individual goals. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Identity Care Housing Ltd 2 This includes supporting children to access routine and specialist support services, such as mental health and substance misuse professionals.

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This monitoring visit

One child recently admitted to the home is receiving higher levels of support than would generally be expected for children in this type of accommodation. While this is appropriate in the short term, an absence of formal plans to reduce this support means that the child is not being suitably prepared for independence or moving out of supported accommodation. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Identity Care Housing Ltd 3

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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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and the ‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’. The registered person(s) must comply within the given timescales.

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs.

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child’s support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that an adequate level of support is available to the child to assist with the transition out of supported accommodation. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(f)(l))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children’s plans clearly identify how staff support will be reduced in a timely way to maximise the child’s preparation for independent living. 31 May 2024

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Identity Care Housing Ltd 4

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Identity Care Housing Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 27 Manchester Road, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 7JD

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Inspector

Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Identity Care Housing Ltd 5 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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