The Ferntree Support Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 1 The Ferntree Support Ltd Registered provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This service is owned and operated by a private provider. It offers accommodation and support for up to 42 children and young people in 10 shared or group-living homes that are limited to looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, the service was providing accommodation for seven children aged 16 and 17 years. The service manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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Inspection dates:

The inspection was announced on 7 July 2025. The inspectors were on site on 9 and 10 July 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.

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Summary of findings

The accommodation is specifically for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. Ofsted carried out a full inspection in January 2025, which resulted in an outcome 3 judgement being given. Following the inspection, Ofsted issued two compliance notices in relation to the safety and protection of children and the leadership and management of the service.

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Summary of findings

Progress in relation to the two compliance notices was assessed during a subsequent monitoring visit in April 2025. The conclusion was that leaders and managers had improved their oversight and service delivery and that safeguarding processes were in place to ensure children’s safety. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 2 Since the monitoring visit, the service has continued to build on improvements and develop systems to ensure that all staff are confident in their roles. The registered service manager has put effective monitoring and recording systems in place.

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Summary of findings

Children are supported by staff who understand their needs. Staff keep children safe by providing individualised support, which improves children’s outcomes.

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Summary of findings

The homes children live in do not always fully reflect their identities and cultural needs. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are making progress and are helped to achieve their aspirations. All children except one are in college or alternative learning environments. Children have support plans that include how to develop independent living skills for adulthood. The quality of these plans is good, and the views of the child are threaded throughout. They provide staff with guidance and information on how to support children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s accommodation is well maintained, providing them with space to socialise and be private. They are provided with all that they require to learn how to become independent. Leaders and managers recognise that their facilities do not wholly cater to children’s cultural needs and identities at a level that would be expected of a provider focusing specifically on supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

All children are supported in taking responsibility for their health. Attendance with health professionals is routine, and additional support for mental health is available.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children are positive about their experiences with the service. They said they are happy and feel safe.

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How well children are helped and protected

Serious incidents and behaviours that challenge staff are well managed. Staff speak confidently about how they support children when they are upset or worried.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff receive regular and appropriate training and supervision, which enables them to support children confidently. Children’s records are individualised and detailed. They demonstrate how staff interact with children and support them. Records are written in a child-focused style, with the child’s views embedded. Management oversight consistently takes place and is appropriate.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers respond appropriately and report safeguarding concerns. Records of these concerns detail how and when they share information with partner agencies and how they contribute to keeping the children safe. Incidents of children going missing are rare. Staff help children who do not return home as expected understand the impact of their behaviour. Records detail the positive conversations staff have with children to help them understand risks in the community and how to keep themselves safe. Staff demonstrate a good understanding of the risks and vulnerabilities of the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Since the previous inspection, leaders and managers have worked hard to address the shortfalls. They have commissioned an independent consultant who has worked with them to develop the organisation. This has resulted in significant improvements Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 4 across the whole organisation. The improvements are noted as directly improving children’s outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff said that they are well supported by the registered service manager and that they receive regular supervision. They said they have noticed a positive difference in all aspects of the service over the last six months and believe they are making a difference for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff expressed pride in working for the service and in the support they offer children. They are more confident in managing safeguarding issues, and their managers support them in all aspects of their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders have introduced a new electronic recording system. All staff have received training to use the system, and those spoken with are overwhelmingly positive of its use. Inspectors found good use of the system in all records sampled. Inspectors found evidence of change and positive impact across all documents, recordings and systems. Relevant policies have been updated to reflect changes since the previous inspection. These policies now align with the regulations for supported accommodation. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 5

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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

what services and facilities are available that take account of children’s needs arising as a result of cultural differences or disability;

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Requirement Due date

and which the registered person must keep under review, seeking children’s comments before revising the written guide. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must ensure that every child lives in a home that reflects their cultural requirements and identity. 31 December

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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 Ferntree Support Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Nyashadzashe Saunyama

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: admin@ferntreesupport.co.uk

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Inspectors

Linda Bond, Social Care Inspector Karen O’Neill, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Ferntree Support Ltd 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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