Barnardo's - Moving On

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Barnardo's - Moving On 1 Barnardo’s - Moving On

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

provider

This supported accommodation service is managed by a charity. The service can accommodate up to 16 children living in solo accommodation and up to 18 children in two shared premises not limited to looked after children and care leavers. In addition, the service can accommodate up to seven children living in five private residences, such as supported lodgings.

p.1

provider

The service manager has been registered with Ofsted since February 2024.

p.1

This monitoring visit

On 1 July 2024, the registered manager notified Ofsted of the death of a young adult. Because children under the age of 18 were living in the same accommodation, a safeguarding notification was submitted to Ofsted under Regulation 27 of the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. Ofsted is aware that other agencies, including the police and the young adult’s placing authority, are carrying out investigations.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to ensure that children in this and other supported accommodation run by this provider are living in suitable environments and that staff have oversight of their welfare. This visit included a review of children’s documents and plans. Discussions were also held with the registered service manager, team managers in each premises and members of staff.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The inspector visited three premises. Overall, these were found to be of an acceptable standard. Communal areas in shared accommodation are particularly well maintained and are good spaces for children to spend time together. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Barnardo's - Moving On 2 Staff complete weekly checks, including of individual living spaces, to ensure that they are clean, safe and well maintained. However, the quality of these checks is variable, and staff do not always take suitable action to ensure that good standards in the accommodation are maintained. For example, one child’s solo accommodation was dirty and contained an accumulation of rubbish bags, half-eaten food and unwashed pots. This issue had not been identified through the registered manager’s quality assurance checks. Prompted by the inspector, staff took immediate action to address this.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Children have individualised plans that focus on their independence goals. Staff know the children well and understand their individual needs. Targeted support is given in the form of individually tailored support sessions. Staff work well with partner agencies. This means that children’s needs are well met, and risks are managed effectively.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff are alert to children’s changing behaviour. When necessary, support plans are changed and levels of support are increased. This ensures that any potential risks or concerns can be managed effectively.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Managers have been proactive in supporting children and staff following the death of the young person. Access to counselling services has been made available to children and staff. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Barnardo's - Moving On 3

p.2

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

The accommodation standard is that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

p.3

Requirement Due date

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

p.3

Requirement Due date

are suitable for the purposes of supported accommodation and are accessible, safe, secure and well-maintained;

p.3

Requirement Due date

offer a comfortable, positive and nurturing environment, while respecting children’s need for privacy;

p.3

Requirement Due date

are adequately maintained so as to provide a welcoming and homely environment within both individual and shared living spaces;

p.3

Requirement Due date

are designed, furnished and maintained to remove avoidable hazards which could pose a health and safety risk to children. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(b)(vii)(viii)(ix))

p.3

Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that the processes for monitoring the standard of accommodation are effective in identifying areas of concern, and that where necessary, staff support children to maintain good standards of clean accommodation. 14 August 2024

p.3

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.

p.3

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Barnardo's - Moving On 4

p.3

Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Barnardo’s, Tanners Lane, Barkingside, Ilford IG6 1QG

p.4

Inspector

Tracey Sykes, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Barnardo's - Moving On 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.

p.4

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 . 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.5

Inspector

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

p.5

Inspector

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

p.5