Youth Support Solutions

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions Youth Support Solutions

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Registered provider: Youth Support Solutions Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This service is owned and managed by a private provider. It offers accommodation and support for up to 10 children living in three shared premises that are limited to looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this visit, three children aged 16 and 17 were using the service.

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provider

The manager, who is also the nominated individual, and the service registered with Ofsted in March 2024.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out this visit due to concerns that the provider was failing to notify Ofsted of significant events involving the children.

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This monitoring visit

Two children whose needs cannot be met in accordance with the supported accommodation regulations have moved into the premises because the registered service manager makes poor decisions. One child, who required higher levels of care and support, has now been remanded to custody following alleged offences that were committed prior to the child being accommodated. The second child, who remains in the premises, requires intense supervision and support due to their addiction.

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This monitoring visit

Since registration, there have been several incidents of concern that have not been reported to Ofsted. On the occasions when notifications have been sent to Ofsted, key details have been missing, such as reference to a child being attacked. This resulted in the child moving premises. This prevents Ofsted, as the regulator, from having effective oversight of the service and assessing the risks to children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions The manager accepted that she had failed to notify Ofsted of all significant incidents, and she is committed to addressing this shortfall.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s risk assessments do not always provide an accurate or up-to-date picture of their known and emerging needs, risks and vulnerabilities. In some cases, this can be attributed to a failure to gather relevant information at the point of referral and/or a failure to update risk assessments following serious incidents. This means that staff do not always have the necessary information to inform their practices when managing and responding to risk-taking behaviours.

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This monitoring visit

Staff spend time with children. They complete work with them around understanding relationships, appropriate behaviour and life skills. The work they complete helps to prepare children for later life.

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This monitoring visit

Following this visit, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation to prevent new admissions. In addition, two compliance notices and one requirement were issued. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions

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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

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)(f))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, review the procedures for managing referrals to ensure that only children who are suitable to live in supported accommodation are admitted to the service and that their suitability for supported accommodation is continually reviewed. 18 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

*If a child dies, the registered person must without delay notify—

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Requirement Due date

the local authority in whose area the premises used as supported accommodation are located (if that local authority is not the accommodating authority); 18 May 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions the integrated care board (established under Chapter A3 of Part 2 of the National Health Service Act 2006(1)) for the area in which the premises used as supported accommodation are located;

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Requirement Due date

any relevant person not included in sub-paragraphs (a) to (e).

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Requirement Due date

If there is a referral of a person working for the supported accommodation undertaking pursuant to section 35 of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006(2), the registered person must without delay notify—

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Requirement Due date

any relevant person not included in sub-paragraphs (a) and (b).

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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

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

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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;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions The registered person must ensure that a notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

any other individuals or organisations who or which have been notified;

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

is made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 27 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f) (2)(a)(b)(c) (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(f) (4)(a)(i)(ii)(ii)(b))

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Requirement Due date

The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met.

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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

have their individual needs met. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

Specifically, ensure that children’s risk assessments are reviewed and updated to include the child’s known and emerging needs, risks and behaviours, and that these plans are implemented to support the child. 18 May 2025

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: Youth Support Solutions

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Youth Support Solutions Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Clarissa John

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Inspector

Jamie Richardson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Youth Support Solutions 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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