CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider in the north of England.

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provider

The provider can accommodate up to 20 individuals in shared or group-living premises not limited to looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this visit, 15 children with needs that fell within the scope of the regulations were accommodated.

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provider

The registered service manager left in November 2024, and interim arrangements have been in place since this date.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out this visit in response to concerns around the management oversight of the service and the safety of children. An interim service manager is currently in post and has applied to register with Ofsted.

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This monitoring visit

Since the provider registered in November 2023, there have been many changes in the staff team. The managers plan to recruit, induct and train additional staff.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers offer direct help to children alongside frontline staff. This ensures that children are consistently supported by staff who they know. Children say they are happy with the help they receive from the service. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West Leaders and managers do not fully consider the compatibility of children with one another before they move into shared accommodation. One recent admission of a child negatively affected the other children in their accommodation. Children’s vulnerabilities became more apparent, and this led to conflict between them. One child said, ‘I am just waiting until I reach 18 and can leave because of [name of child].’

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers recognise tensions between children in the accommodation. Managers temporarily increase staffing levels to respond to children’s worries about the escalation of arguments. Staff meet with the accommodating authorities to review the plans for all children in the premises. They hold learning sessions with children to help them repair relationships and get along.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have clear expectations for children’s behaviour, which are set out in the children’s guide. The provider has given one child a verbal warning for breaking house rules. This helps children to learn about the consequences of their behaviour in preparation for independent living.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers identify and challenge harassment and discrimination. They document incidents and discuss them in support sessions with children and staff. Children understand that the service does not tolerate discrimination. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West

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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 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

ensure that arrangements are in place to manage referrals of children to the supported accommodation undertaking and admissions of children to premises used as supported accommodation, including, where relevant, emergency referrals and admissions. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(f)) 4 May 2025

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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: CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 146 Bolton Road, Atherton, Manchester M46 9LF

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Inspector

Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: CFS Care Limited Lancashire and North West 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 children looked-after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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