Independent Futures (UK) Limited

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Independent Futures 1 Independent Futures

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Registered provider: Independent Futures (UK) Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider. The service can accommodate up to two children living in single occupancy premises. The children can share the accommodation with the staff supporting them. The provider operates in North West England.

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provider

Both the registered service manager and the nominated individual have been in post since the provider was registered in May 2024.

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This monitoring visit

Following the last monitoring visit to this provider on 9 April 2025, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 4. The purpose of this visit was to assess the actions taken by the provider to address the concerns.

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This monitoring visit

The provider is no longer accommodating children with high level support needs, and who are outside of the scope of supported accommodation. The provider has strengthened their referral and admission process. This now helps the provider to have the relevant information to make a fully informed decision about the suitability of children for supported accommodation. Although no further children have moved into the accommodation in this period, the revised process has made the admissions process more robust. The compliance notice is assessed to have been met.

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This monitoring visit

The provider is now maintaining an admission and discharge register, ensuring the recording of essential information about children. Furthermore, the provider has established a system to ensure that all serious safeguarding incidents are notified to Ofsted in a timely way. This enables Ofsted to ensure that appropriate actions have been taken to keep children safe. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Independent Futures 2 Two requirements made at the last monitoring visit have not been fully addressed and are repeated on this occasion. This includes missing information in children’s support plans and training for staff on issues pertinent to children. The provider has made some progress in these areas, but there is more work to do. In addition, a requirement relating to staff recruitment is repeated, as it has not been possible to assess this, as new staff have not been employed in this period.

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This monitoring visit

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Independent Futures 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

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 ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that children’s support plans contain meaningful information that is completed in consultation with the child, and that staff understand and implement these plans in support of the child. 23 June 2025

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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 well-being 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 staff have the experience, qualifications and skills appropriate for the work that they are to perform; 23 June 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Independent Futures 4 implement recruitment practices that ensure staff are suitable to work with children and to keep them safe from harm. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(c)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff receive specific training to support the needs of the children they support.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 1. (Regulation 17 (1) (3)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that appropriate references are sought when employing new staff. 23 June 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: Independent Futures 5

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Independent Futures (UK) Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Unit 1 Dalton Court, Commercial Road, Darwen BB3 0DG

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Abigail Morrison

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Inspector

Mandy Williams, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Independent Futures 6 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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