The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 1 The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd Registered provider: The Bliss Semi Independent Homes Ltd

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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. The provider can accommodate up to 28 children living in eight shared living premises used to accommodate children, including looked-after children or care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, the service was providing support for 18 children aged 16 and 17.

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provider

The service has a registered service manager and nominated individual. Both have held these roles since the service registered with Ofsted in June 2024.

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Inspection dates:

The inspection was announced on 28 July 2025 and started that day. The inspectors were on site on 30 and 31 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

Children live in stable and well-maintained homes. Staff are well trained and supported by leaders and managers.

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Summary of findings

Children are supported to attend education or work and are encouraged to achieve their goals. Where children struggle with their feelings, staff are skilled at supporting them to stay safe and understand the reasons for behaviour. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 2 Leaders and managers work closely with staff to support children to work towards and achieve independence. Professionals say that children are well supported and the service they get from this provider is good. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to progress and develop independence. Staff work closely with children and leaders to monitor children’s progress. They use an effective system to highlight areas in a child’s progress that requires support. This means children have the help they need in a timely way. Professionals say that the service supports children to achieve their aims and learn skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff protect children’s rights and promote their welfare. Children have access to advocacy and to staff who support them to make decisions in their best interests. Staff support children who are new to the country to integrate with their community and learn about British values, laws and customs. They help children to explore and celebrate their identity and follow religious celebrations and practices.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

All children engage in education or employment. Staff have high expectations for children. They offer encouragement and practical help in enrolling for college or applying for jobs. One child said staff helped them find an online course when they had wanted to progress their learning. This means the child can gain a qualification that will enable them to study for their preferred job.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s health needs are well met. Staff ensure that every child is registered with a GP and dentist and have regular medical check-ups. Where children are reluctant to engage with medical help, staff use imaginative ways to encourage them. Professionals report how well the provider supports children to receive their immunisations.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff help children to manage their feelings and behaviours safely. They use de- escalation and positive behaviour techniques effectively in order to support children to remain safe. Staff speak with children about how they can best support them using individualised trauma-informed approaches. This helps children develop healthy relationships with adults who they can trust.

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How well children are helped and protected

When children go missing from home, staff follow procedures to help locate and encourage them home safely. All absences are treated as missing incidents, and staff report them to the appropriate professionals. Staff keep clear records of events using risk assessment and key-work sessions to reduce risk. Staff support children, through discussions, to understand the risks of going missing and develop strategies to reduce incidents.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff work closely and effectively with the police, children’s social workers and other agencies. Together, they develop plans that protect children from unnecessary involvement in the criminal justice system. One incident was resolved by leaders and managers in a way that avoided criminalising the child. Instead, they gave meaningful consequences that benefited the child’s well-being. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 4 Leaders and managers ensure that safer recruitment processes are followed. Only individuals who have been vetted properly work at the home and provide support for the children. Children are supported appropriately by adults who can keep them safe. Staff are safely inducted and trained in key areas before they start working with the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers monitor the quality of support and use any learning to improve the experiences of children. Managers have effective oversight of services, are visible and visit services regularly. Leaders and managers provide an on-call service where staff can access support and guidance at any time.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers effectively monitor the progress of children. They ensure that staff use up-to-date plans that provide clear guidance on how to support each child’s changing needs. This has a positive impact on children’s progress as staff know children well. Children’s case records reflect the work that is carried out by staff. They show children’s achievements and plans for their futures. The provider has high expectations and aspirations for children. Children told us they can talk to managers when they need to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers and staff receive regular support and effective supervision that is focused on children’s experiences, needs, plans and feedback. There are clear responsibilities and accountabilities, giving staff shared ownership about their practice. Staff report that they feel well-led and managed. Audits and team meetings show that managers set consistent standards for staff and invite discussion about how to achieve them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers respond positively to feedback from professionals. They use learning from feedback to improve support for children. For example, conversations around possible restrictions and incident management have resulted in development plans that improve the experiences of children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Training, development and induction activities are effective and are focused on staff meeting the needs of the children. This helps staff to understand the impact of adverse childhood experiences and apply this to their everyday practice. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 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.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was announced on 28 July 2025, and the inspectors were on site from 30 July 2025 to 1 August 2025. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: The Bliss Semi Independent Homes Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 71-75 Shelton Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9JQ

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Ayoola Afelumo

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Inspectors

Stephen Challis, Social Care Inspector Ann Adesoye, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: The Bliss Semi-Independent Homes Ltd 7 regulates and inspects 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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