Rubi Living Ltd.

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

A private provider owns and operates this supported accommodation service. The service can accommodate up to six children living in solo accommodation and up to 31 children living in 13 shared premises that are not limited to looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the visit, no children were living with the service. The last child moved out on 6 August 2025.

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provider

The nominated individual registered with Ofsted on 24 November 2023.

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provider

The previous registered service manager submitted their application to voluntarily cancel this role on 23 June 2025. They left the role on 27 June 2025.

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provider

An individual has been appointed to the service manager role. They have yet to apply to Ofsted to be the registered service manager.

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provider

Ofsted is aware that another agency is currently undertaking an investigation.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a full inspection between 16 and 20 June 2025. Due to significant shortfalls in the leadership and management and safeguarding arrangements, a restriction of accommodation notice was issued. This notice prevented new children from moving into the undertaking. Three compliance notices were also issued under regulations 4, 5 and 27 to address these shortfalls.

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This monitoring visit

A monitoring visit was completed on 4 August 2025. This was to review the provider’s progress in meeting the steps identified in the compliance notices. The Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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This monitoring visit

provider failed to demonstrate that they had taken sufficient action to meet the compliance notices, and the restriction of accommodation notice remained in place. Ofsted took further enforcement action to address the provider’s continued failure to meet the regulations.

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This monitoring visit

This monitoring visit was completed to monitor the provider’s progress since the restriction of accommodation notice was issued on 20 June 2025.

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This monitoring visit

No children have been admitted since the restriction of accommodation was issued.

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This monitoring visit

The undertaking has no effective management in place to ensure that the required changes are made to improve the services for children. The undertaking has not had a registered service manager since 27 June 2025. Despite the service manager submitting their application to Ofsted, the provider has failed to pay the required fee. This prevents Ofsted from assessing this person’s suitability.

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This monitoring visit

The nominated individual, and point of contact for Ofsted, has not been available to the undertaking, staff and Ofsted. The lack of the nominated individual’s presence and effective management oversight has prevented any significant changes from being made to address the shortfalls that were identified at the last full inspection. This means that the leadership and management and safeguarding arrangements for children have yet to be improved.

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This monitoring visit

The provider failed to ensure that a child received bespoke support from staff who understood their needs and risks. Despite a significant incident on 17 July 2025, when a child was able to purchase drug paraphernalia, leaders and managers have failed to update the child’s support plan and risk assessment. Consequently, staff were not provided with support and guidance on how best to support this child before the child moved out on 6 August 2025.

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This monitoring visit

The organisation’s safeguarding policy has been updated to include contact details for the local authority designated officer (LADO). This now also identifies a member of staff as the deputy designated safeguarding lead. However, the policy still fails to provide guidance to staff on the action they should take when children make allegations against the nominated individual, leaders and managers. Furthermore, this policy does not identify who within the organisation will undertake these investigations.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has failed to ensure that the arrangements to keep children safe are effective. The provider has failed to act on advice from the LADO to improve safeguarding practice. A LADO recommended that the provider should work with a local authority commissioning team to improve the response to children’s allegations. Managers confirmed that this work has not been done.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has failed to ensure that staff keep accurate records of work that has been identified by the LADO. Following a LADO investigation regarding staff conduct, the ‘uninvolved director’ is reported to have met with the member of staff to discuss Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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This monitoring visit

the incident. Leaders and managers have not been made aware of the contents of this discussion or received minutes or advice about whether any additional action is needed. This leaves leaders and managers unclear of support, training or future areas for development that are needed for the staff and the organisation.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has developed a tool to assess the suitability of their staff to ensure that they have the necessary skills to work with children in supported accommodation. However, this tool has not been used to assess any member of the leaders and managers, and staff’s competence. Consequently, the provider cannot be confident that all staff are able to meet the needs of children within their service effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has reviewed the safer recruitment checks for one individual, who was highlighted during the full inspection. This member of staff has now been moved on. However, the provider has failed to complete a full review of the recruitment checks for all staff within the organisation. Therefore, the provider cannot be assured that children will be supported safely by staff who have been vetted appropriately.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has implemented an admission checklist for new children arriving at the service. While the checklist does consider some information required, children’s needs are not included. This oversight prevents the provider from being assured that they are aware of all the children’s needs when the child arrives, and that the staff team has the skills and experience to manage the children’s needs effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has updated some documents and forms that could be used to support children. The child’s support plan has been updated. This is more accessible for children and now encourages their input and participation. Forms have also been created to support the managers to record incidents and LADO investigations. The effectiveness of these changes has not been assessed as no children are supported by this undertaking.

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This monitoring visit

The restriction of accommodation notice remains in place until 11 September 2025. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 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 requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

are familiar and act in accordance with child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

have the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or any other harm, and act to reduce such risk;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with children to help them understand how to keep safe, by offering guidance and support on how to minimise any potential risk of harm;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies, and share information where relevant to keep children safe;

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Requirement Due date

understand the relevant roles and responsibilities assigned to them by the registered person in relation to protecting children. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(f)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv)(vi))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must: 23 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

 review all their staff recruitment files and ensure that safer recruitment processes are consistently implemented  obtain all the key information relating to children’s needs and risks prior to admission to ensure that they can meet the child’s needs, and keep this under review  ensure that there is effective oversight of children’s placements to ensure the supported accommodation remains suitable to meet their needs.

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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

lead and manage the supported accommodation undertaking in a way that is consistent with the ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the undertaking’s statement of purpose;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work effectively as a team, where appropriate, to meet the needs of children;

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Requirement Due date

implement recruitment practices that ensure staff are suitable to work with children and to keep them safe from harm. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(b)(e))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that all staff:

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Requirement Due date

 understand what action to take in the event of an allegation  take immediate action in line with the organisation’s child protection procedures  understand the risks to children, and know what action they must take to keep children safe from harm  are skilled and trained to understand all safeguarding risks to children and that this competence is assessed, which is to be clearly evidenced.

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 23 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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

engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child’s support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support;

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Requirement Due date

before a child arrives or upon a child’s arrival, ensure that the child is given a written guide, in an accessible format, containing information about—

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Requirement Due date

the support and accommodation provided by the supported accommodation undertaking;

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Requirement Due date

what advocacy support or services are available, how the child may access that support or those services, and any entitlement the child may have to independent advocacy;

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Requirement Due date

how to make a complaint or representation in relation to the support and accommodation provided and how any such complaint or representation will be dealt with;

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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)(b)(f)(j)(i)(ii)(iii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 23 November 2025

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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

Subject to paragraph (4), the registered person may only— 23 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual for the purposes of the provision of supported accommodation, or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work for the supported accommodation undertaking in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work for the supported accommodation undertaking,

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person is satisfied that the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the experience, qualifications and skills appropriate for the work that the individual is to perform,

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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) (2)(a)(b) (3)(b)(d))

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (6), the registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints and representations made by or on behalf of children.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint or representation takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation. (Regulation 31 (1) (2) (3))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 23 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

An organisation may only carry on a supported accommodation undertaking if—

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Requirement Due date

each director of the organisation, except for a director who is the nominated individual, who is involved in the carrying on of the supported accommodation undertaking by that organisation, satisfies the requirements in paragraph (6). 23 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 8 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 11 (4)(a) (6)(a))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must give notice in writing to the CIECSS, as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so, if any of the following events take place or are expected by the registered person to take place—

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Requirement Due date

if the registered provider is an organisation—

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Requirement Due date

any change of director, manager, secretary or other similar officer of the organisation. (Regulation 34 (1)(e)(ii)) 23 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) in relation to each child accommodated by the supported accommodation undertaking which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 2;

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Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been reissued. 23 November 2025

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for monitoring and improving the quality of support provided by the supported accommodation undertaking by completing a review (“a quality of support review”) at least once every six months, which must take into account—

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Requirement Due date

the views of children, including any feedback and complaints received;

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Requirement Due date

feedback from individual children on the impact the supported accommodation has had on the child’s life, especially regarding how well prepared the child felt for transition into supported accommodation and how well prepared the child feels for transition out of supported accommodation; 23 November 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 9 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Requirement Due date

feedback from each child’s accommodating authority, staff and any relevant persons;

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Requirement Due date

any relevant research and developments in relation to the way in which the needs of children are best met.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of support review, the registered person must produce a written report setting out the actions the registered person intends to take as a result of that quality of support review.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide a copy of the review report to the CIECSS within 28 days beginning with the day on which the report is completed, and make a copy of it available on request to each child’s accommodating authority. (Regulation 32 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d) (2) (3))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the workforce development plan includes the current staffing structure and the managerial arrangements for oversight of the premises. The plan should also include how staff support children when there is on-site or floating support and how staff promote continuity of support. The registered person should ensure that the plan sets out the experience and qualifications of staff and managers and any training they receive. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 47)  The registered person should review the appropriateness and suitability of the location of the premises used for the purposes of the supported accommodation setting. This review should include a full risk assessment, considering risks and opportunities presented by the setting’s location, and including any relevant risk mitigation strategies and actions taken to reduce potential risks as well as the

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Recommendations

views and experiences of young people. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 28)

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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: Rubi Living Ltd. 10 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Kennedy Sigobodhla

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Inspectors

Leah Stannard, Social Care Inspector Clare Hannah, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Rubi Living Ltd. 11 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

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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