The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 1 The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd Registered provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

A private provider owns this supported accommodation service. It provides up to six group living premises that are limited to looked-after children and care leavers. At the time of the inspection, the service provided supported accommodation for 13 children aged 16 and 17.

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provider

The children receive daily support, including support out of hours should they need it. One premises has a staff member present 24 hours a day. The support offered can vary to meet each child’s individual needs.

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provider

The organisation and the service manager registered with Ofsted in February 2024.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 27 January 2025 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 29 to 31 January 2025.

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Outcome

Inconsistent quality of service delivery adversely affects some children’s experiences, and this may limit their progress. Leaders and managers must make improvements.

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Summary of findings

Children are satisfied with the support they receive in preparation for adulthood. Most are settled and making good progress.

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Summary of findings

Children enjoy positive relationships with staff, who advocate for them. They feel that their views are listened to and acted on as appropriate. Children can identify a trusted person that they can talk to about any concerns.

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Summary of findings

Children’s accommodation is not consistently well maintained, and this may affect some children’s experiences. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 2 The management monitoring systems are not effective. This has led to some inaccurate information and a lack of written support plans and detailed risk management plans for children.

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Summary of findings

Ofsted has not been notified about a safeguarding incident that happened several months ago.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children say that they feel happy with the support they receive to prepare them for adulthood. They share positive relationships with staff and those spoken to say they feel safe where they live. One child said, ‘Everything is good, we are so happy here.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children find their way around the shops and places of interest relevant to their faith, culture, health, education and leisure needs, as the staff help them to become familiar with the local area when they first move into their accommodation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff advocate well for children. This helps them to understand their rights and ensures that they receive their entitlements. Children say that their wishes and feelings are listened to and acted on. Children can identify a trusted adult to talk to about any concerns. However, not all children are familiar with the complaints procedure.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children whose first language is not English use translation apps that help them to communicate with staff and other people. This helps children to engage with those around them to counteract feelings of isolation. Overall, children’s cultural, religious and linguistic needs are well considered when they move into the accommodation. Positive bonds with peers and a sense of identity and belonging are promoted through this practice.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Education is highly valued at this service. Staff support children to enrol at college when they move into the accommodation. Most children attend college, and they aspire to achieve their learning and employment goals. Staff support children who are not in education or employment to help them to overcome barriers to their engagement. This is yet to have the desired impact. Children take part in leisure activities such as playing football, attending social events and playing on gaming consoles. They are supported to maintain friendships and family connections as appropriate.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to register with primary and specialised healthcare services quickly. Managers and staff work well with social workers to ensure that children can access mental health services when needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children learn life skills such as how to budget, shop, cook and clean. However, children do not have written support plans to show how the service is meeting their identified support needs, to drive identified goals and achievements and show the difference that the support from the staff is making to the children’s life chances. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 3 Children who are reaching the age of 18 do not have formal moving on plans. Life- story work is not fully embedded in practice. This is a missed opportunity to help children to understand their histories and capture new memories.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children’s accommodation is not consistently clean and well maintained. The registered service manager does not have a monitoring system to check the premises or implement a remedial maintenance programme. This has resulted in delays in improvements being carried out quickly. Furthermore, health and safety risk assessments do not identify all the potential hazards at the accommodation. For example, incense burning in one child’s bedroom had not been assessed as a potential fire hazard. These shortfalls do not promote a consistently hazard-free and homely environment for children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children said that they feel safe. They know who to contact for support outside the usual support hours and during the night. However, until the inspection, there were no written risk assessments in place to identify how the staff should support the children. Once completed, these were mostly generic and potential risks and mitigating strategies were not captured effectively.

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How well children are helped and protected

One child who went missing overnight several months ago received a well- coordinated response from managers and staff, in collaboration with the police and placing authority.

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How well children are helped and protected

Although staff understand their safeguarding responsibilities, not all staff understand the role of the local authority designated officer (LADO). Furthermore, not all staff know who the correct designated safeguarding lead is and refer to the registered service manager instead of the nominated individual. This prevents significant information being shared with the correct person quickly and may delay an appropriate safeguarding response.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children’s social workers receive a monthly report that includes a section about safeguarding, however, these documents provide duplicated and generic information that does not inform social workers how staff practice safeguards children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff take a restorative approach to behaviour management, and children have not been held by staff. The staff are very skilled at understanding the reasons why children’s behaviour may start to decline, and act decisively to address the issues. However, the consequences for children who do not act within ‘house rules’ are not consistently enforced. This may give children mixed messages and prevent them from taking personal responsibility for their behaviour.

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How well children are helped and protected

Safer recruitment practice is not embedded. For example, references are not verified to confirm the reasons why an applicant’s previous employment ended. This practice does not sufficiently protect children from being cared for by unsuitable adults. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The service has not been consistently managed in line with its statement of purpose. The registered service manager’s inconsistent oversight of the service has limited their capacity to track and monitor the children’s progress and identify the strengths and areas for development.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The quality of support review is not an accurate reflection of all practice since the service was registered. For example, one incident was reported to have been notified to Ofsted when it was not. Furthermore, the registered service manager was unable to provide any update about how their action plan was being progressed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Poor oversight by the registered service manager has resulted in some poor-quality accommodation, poor recruitment practice, and a lack of written support plans and other relevant documents for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager does not have a register of children who live in the accommodation and those who have moved on. They were unable to supply information promptly during the inspection, and some of the information provided had not been requested by the inspector.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager has missed opportunities to record how staff are supported to develop in their roles. The quality of the staff induction process is unclear, as this is not well documented, and the updated workforce development plan has failed to outline how the organisation responds to poor staff performance. While staff receive training to inform their practice, they have not received training related to online safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff feel supported and listened to by managers and they have regular supervision. However, these supervision sessions do not always reflect on the experiences, needs and plans of the children in each setting. This is a missed opportunity to further develop staff practice and monitor the progress of children and their plans.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager has misunderstood their responsibilities in completing the premises location assessment. This refers to the Children’s Homes Regulations, and it is out of date.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers provide stability for the service. They are visible and accessible to staff, children and professionals. Children benefit from support from a small, consistent team of staff who are invested in them and communicate regularly with the professionals around them. Staff are motivated and enjoy supporting the children and they rise to their responsibilities. One staff member said about the children, ‘My happiness is when they are happy.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager now receives supervision from a third-party supervisor. However, the nominated individual does not have a formal system to monitor these supervision sessions to satisfy themselves that they are suitable. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 5 Team meetings provide an opportunity for leaders, managers and staff to discuss practice matters and expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Positive feedback from professionals about the managers and staff indicates their satisfaction with the quality of support and protection provided to the children. Professionals comment that the staff team’s proactive approach and good communication are the main strengths.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers accept that service improvements are needed to ensure that children have consistently positive outcomes and experiences. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 6

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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 registered provider and the registered service manager must, having regard to—

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Requirement Due date

the number of premises used as supported accommodation by,

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Requirement Due date

the number of children accommodated in the premises used as supported accommodation by,

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Requirement Due date

the geographical scope of the premises used as supported accommodation by,

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Requirement Due date

the category or categories of supported accommodation provided by

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Requirement Due date

the supported accommodation undertaking concerned, carry on or manage that undertaking with sufficient care, competence and skill. (Regulation 13 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must improve the management monitoring and review systems to ensure that the service is operated safely, efficiently and effectively to promote consistent practice and improve the quality of all records and service delivery. 31 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

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

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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

carrying out a location assessment of each of the premises used as supported accommodation at least once in each calendar year. 31 March 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 7 ensure that the premises used as supported accommodation—

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Requirement Due date

are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child individually and all children collectively;

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Requirement Due date

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

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Requirement Due date

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

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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)(a)(ii)(b)(v)(vi)(viii)(ix))

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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 supported accommodation undertaking that puts children first and prioritises their wellbeing and development.

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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

lead and manage the supported accommodation undertaking in a way that is consistent with the ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the undertaking’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

implement recruitment practices that ensure staff are suitable to work with children and to keep them safe from harm. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a) (e)) 31 March 2025

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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

ensure that plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full consultation with the child, taking account of relevant plans for the child;

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Requirement Due date

keep the child’s support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to 31 March 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 8 ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe;

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Requirement Due date

ensure a plan for support is in place to support the child to develop the resilience and skills required to transition out of supported accommodation when the child is ready to live more independently. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(b)(c)(k))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile, in relation to the supported accommodation undertaking, a plan ("the workforce plan") which covers the following matters in respect of the recruitment and employment of all staff—

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Requirement Due date

the process for managing and addressing poor performance.

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Requirement Due date

keep the workforce plan under review and, where appropriate, revise it. (Regulation 10 (1)(d) (2)(a)) 31 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must prepare and implement a behaviour management policy setting out—

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Requirement Due date

the expectations of children in relation to their behaviour, what will happen if those expectations are not met, and how the registered person will ensure that children know what those behaviour expectations are. (Regulation 22 (1)(b)) 31 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must keep records of other information relating to the supported accommodation undertaking set out in Schedule 3. (Regulation 25, Schedule 3) 31 March 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious. (Regulation 27 (3)(b)) 31 March 2025

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the staff receive e-safety training in a timely manner. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards, page 16’) Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 9  The registered person should ensure that staff take reasonable precautions and make informed professional judgements based on children’s individual needs, circumstances and level of autonomy when identifying a particular risk or following a particular course of action. In particular, staff should ensure that children’s risk assessment documents are up to date and address any known vulnerabilities, and that they detail what action staff should take to address the risk. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 21)  The registered person should ensure that the child protection policies are

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Recommendations

available and explained to children and, where appropriate and relevant, to their families, as well as to all staff, whatever their role. The registered person should ensure that the staff understand these policies and know how to notify the LADO and the designated safeguarding lead when they need to report a concern. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 25)  The registered person should refer to regulation 31 that sets out the requirement to have a complaints procedure. Children should be aware of this procedure and be reminded of it as necessary. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 43)  The registered person should ensure that recruitment, supervision and performance management of staff, including the registered service manager, safeguard children and minimise potential risks to them. (‘Guide to the Supported

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Recommendations

Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 51)

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children 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 Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 10

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent living ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Mary Longe-Raheem

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: ehepzibah@theanchorservices.co.uk

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Inspector

Jacqueline Malcolm, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Anchor Services - Semi Independent Living Ltd 11 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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