Fusion Care Limited

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 1 Fusion Care Limited Registered provider: Fusion Care 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 in the north-west of England. The provider can accommodate up to nine children in a self- contained unit, where the accommodation is for the sole use of one person.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, nine individuals were being accommodated. Five of them were looked-after children aged 16 or 17.

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provider

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since the provider was registered on 27 December 2023.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 2 June 2025 and started that day. The inspector was on site 4 and 5 June 2025.

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Outcome

Consistently strong service delivery leads to typically positive experiences and progress for children. Where improvements are needed, leaders and managers take timely and effective action. The next inspection will be within approximately three years.

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Summary of findings

Most children feel happy and safe in their homes. The provider is understanding in addressing any concerns raised by children to help them feel more secure in their accommodation.

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Summary of findings

Children are well prepared for independent living and children have successfully moved on into their own accommodation. Children receive high-quality support.

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Summary of findings

Staff are considerate of children’s cultural needs and make sure that children feel supported in their local area and can access services. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 2 The manager has good oversight of the service and knows the children well. They have high standards which are reflected in the support children receive.

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Summary of findings

The quality of accommodation is good, which means that children feel safe and secure in their environment.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Most children said that they felt happy and safe in their homes. One child said: ‘I feel happy and safe living in the area.’ They also said that staff build good relationships and support them when they have worries or concerns, which means that they have a trusted adult to speak with. They can easily contact staff and the on-call service, which is reassurance for children living in solo accommodation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff are proactive in using different forms of communication with children when English is not their first language. For example, children have access to telephone interpreters. Staff are sensitive to children’s cultural needs and support them when they first move to an area and signpost them to local mosques and supermarkets, for example. Staff also support children to attend local groups, helping them to meet others from their country of origin. One social worker said: ‘[name of child] has been supported to attend all appointments, college and been encouraged to attend social groups in the community. [name of child] feels safe and secure in his accommodation and has access to his key worker when needed and always receives a speedy response.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to maintain and build relationships with family and friends. They have family and friends who visit their homes and can stay overnight. The provider has been proactive in maintaining relationships with parents. One social worker said: ‘Fusion Care has worked really well with the mother, allowing her to stay over with [name of child] and working with mum to support [name of child] with some of her challenges.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to access education, employment and training. All children access some form of education and training and speak positively about their experiences. One child is on an apprenticeship and has successfully passed their driving test, while another has been able to buy a motor vehicle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support positive endings and good transition planning when children leave their home. Children move into their own homes and live independently. Staff provide individualised support using life skills workbooks and practical sessions. Staff regularly review progress with children and identify any new skills that they need to develop. When children move into their homes, this is done in a sensitive and carefully planned way. Children are encouraged to visit the home before moving in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers provide children with tailored support to manage their vulnerabilities. They update support plans and risk assessments, which include children’s known and emerging risks. Staff work well as part of a multi-agency team. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 3 They communicate well with external services and share information with them, which supports the service to best meet the needs of children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff complete a wide range of safeguarding training to help them support children effectively. Training is in line with children’s individual needs. Leaders and managers actively seek additional training for their staff when new risks emerge.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff respond well to safeguarding incidents and take appropriate action. They review the incident to understand what has taken place and put in place mitigating steps to safeguard children. The provider informs Ofsted of incidents in a timely manner, which means the regulator has oversight of incident management.

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How well children are helped and protected

Support plans include children’s known risks and how staff work with children to reduce those risks. They are clear and include children’s known vulnerabilities, including contextual safeguarding. Staff review the plans on a regular basis and encourage children to express their views.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers ensure that the accommodation is safe and secure and provides privacy for children. Staff maintain accommodation to a good standard and ensure that repairs are completed quickly.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers use robust safer recruitment processes to ensure that adults can work safely with children. The provider does not use agency staff, which means that children have a consistent support team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the service. They have a clear understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and are child focused. They work directly with children when delivering support sessions, which means that they have a more in-depth understanding of their needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers provide staff with regular supervision and appraisals. This means that staff can discuss their well-being, development and progress within the service. As a result, staff feel valued and listened to by managers. One member of staff said: ‘I always come away from my supervisions feeling heard, supported, reassured, respected, praised and valued by the company.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are positive about the support and training they receive. One member of staff said: ‘Fusion Care is a great company to work for. When I have any worries or concerns, I feel very confident in contacting management for advice or reassurance.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff from partner agencies involved in children’s lives gave extremely positive feedback. They recognise how children benefit from the support and encouragement that staff provide as they gain greater independence. One worker said: ‘[name of Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 4 child]’s key worker advocates highly on his behalf, attends all meetings and always keeps social worker up to date. I have no concerns in regards to the provider.’ Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 5

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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: Fusion Care Limited 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Fusion Care Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Louise Huddart

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: louise.huddart@fusion-care.co.uk

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Inspector

Helen Fee, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Fusion Care Limited 7 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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Inspector

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