Brightside Care Solutions Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd 1 Brightside Care Solutions Ltd Registered provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service can accommodate up to 10 children in four shared or group-living premises that are not limited to accommodating looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, eight looked-after children aged 16 and 17 were being accommodated.

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provider

The service manager has been registered with Ofsted since 1 February 2024.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 6 October 2025 and started that day. The inspector was on site on 8 and 9 October 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

Children feel safe, settled and happy in their homes. They are positive about the support from staff. They are supported to develop independent living skills. They make great progress where they are living.

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Summary of findings

Staff prioritise children’s education and health needs. They respect the cultural needs of children and work to ensure that children feel connected and supported within their local communities.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers demonstrate strong oversight of the service. They have a clear understanding of the children’s needs and experiences and know them well. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children make good progress. They say they feel happy in their homes. They feel supported by staff in all areas of their life. This contributes to a sense of safety, belonging and emotional well-being for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff work well with unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. They help them learn English and find their place in the community. They respect each child’s culture, faith and background. Staff use interpreters and apps and have written information in a variety of languages to support children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to engage in education. Children say they enjoy learning, especially English. They speak about their future plans, such as becoming mechanics or going on to do further study. Staff also support children to pursue their interests, such as cricket, football and going to the gym. This guidance helps them move towards their goals with purpose.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff understand children’s needs. They offer one-to-one support, helping with how they are feeling and daily life. Children learn to budget, cook, clean and do laundry. They look after their homes. They are also taught how to stay safe, and complete work around healthy relationships. This guidance prepares them for life ahead.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children take care of their health. They register children with doctors, dentists and opticians as soon as they move in. When needed, they go with them to appointments. This support helps children stay well, feel supported and learn how to manage their health as they grow more independent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff hold regular house meetings. Children take part, share what is working and suggest changes to the service. Staff also organise events such as barbecues, games tournaments and birthday celebrations. These bring children and their friends together. This helps build trust, strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging.

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How well children are helped and protected

When a child goes missing from their home, staff contact the police and social workers. They call to check where the child is and if they are safe. When the child returns, staff offer support. They talk through what happened, help the child understand risks and make sure they feel cared for.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff know the children well. They understand what each child needs and update plans and track progress. The team works together, and children feel supported. Children stay in contact with staff when they are out and return home at agreed times. Children stay safe and say they can speak to staff about any concerns.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff complete training on key safeguarding issues, including exploitation, modern slavery, radicalisation and trauma-informed practice. They work one to one with Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd 3 children on these topics. They understand trauma and how it shapes a child’s life. This helps them support each child’s progress with care and insight.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers make sure each child’s support plan fits their needs. Staff keep plans up to date and show how children progress. They know what each child needs to stay safe and move forward. One social worker said, ‘[Name of child] is a testament to the progress children can make when living in supported accommodation that is child focused and ensures that you feel that it is your home.’

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers make sure plans are in place for children turning 18. Staff teach children the skills they need to live on their own. As children feel settled and supported, they say the next step can be anxious for them. Staff help prepare them to move on and remain in contact.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children’s accommodation is homely and well maintained. Staff encourage children to add personal touches to their rooms. Children know how to stay safe in case of fire and staff support this. However, the provider does not obtain advice from independent fire safety assessments to improve fire safety.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the service. They are child centred and inspirational in their approach for both children and staff. They show an understanding of the needs of the children in their care. Children therefore feel safe and understood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers work with partner agencies in an effective way. They ensure that children receive the support they need without delay. Social workers are positive about the communication from staff. They have no concerns about the provider’s response to safeguarding. They are confident children are safe.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers meet with staff for regular supervision. They talk about well- being, training and how the work is going. Staff attend regular team meetings. They also keep up to date with their learning. Staff say they feel supported, and this helps them support children effectively.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment processes. This helps to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. There is a consistent staff team in place. This helps build strong trusting relationships for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have systems in place to assess the quality of the service. This helps them identify areas of strengths and areas for development. They seek feedback from children to consider improvements. However, leaders and managers do not include staff and partner agency feedback in the quality of support review.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers do not always ensure that there is independent oversight of the service. The service manager also holds the role of nominated individual with family members being part of the workforce. This may affect the management of Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd 4 concerns or carrying out supervision in a fair and transparent way. Leaders and managers plan to make improvements. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions 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 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 (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the effectiveness of child protection policies is kept under review and ensure that, where appropriate, those policies are revised. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(c))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, leaders and managers must have suitable arrangements in place regarding family members working for the organisation, including the management of supervision, complaints and allegations. 24 November

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the service operates in line with fire safety requirements. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 31)

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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: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Brightside Care Solutions Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 278-290 Huntingdon Street, Huntingdon House, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG1 3LY

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Barbara Simbi

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: info@brightsidecare.co.uk

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Inspector

Amanda Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Brightside Care Solutions 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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