Go Ahead Homes Ltd.

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 1 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Registered provider: Go Ahead Homes Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

Go Ahead Homes Limited, the nominated individual who is also the director of the company and the registered service manager were registered with Ofsted on 17 September 2024.

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provider

At the time of registration, the provider had seven properties offering supported accommodation for up to 34 children. At the time of this visit, the provider had 13 properties registered, with the capacity to accommodate up to 65 children.

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provider

This visit was unannounced. On the day of this visit, 23 children were placed with this provider.

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provider

The inspectors visited two properties and spoke with two children, the registered service manager and a support worker.

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provider

Inspectors were aware during this monitoring visit that a serious incident that occurred at the setting is under investigation by the appropriate authorities. While Ofsted does not have the power to investigate incidents of this kind, actions taken by the setting in response to the incident were considered alongside other evidence available at the time of the monitoring visit to inform inspectors’ judgements.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted has not been made aware of all safeguarding concerns relating to children as required. Leaders and managers have not consistently notified Ofsted of significant events, and when notifications have been sent these are not done so in a timely manner. Consequently, Ofsted can not be assured that swift action is taken to safeguard children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 2 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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This monitoring visit

The provider failed to notify Ofsted of a missing concern which related to a breach of bail conditions for a very serious offence. The provider also took approximately 10 days to notify Ofsted of a serious safeguarding concern.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders, managers and staff have failed to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding processes, and the need to actively protect children. Concerns highlighted in a child’s referral documentation have not been reflected in the way staff manage risks. The risk management system does not fully identify all the potential safeguarding concerns such as a child’s age. A lack of professional curiosity and scrutiny around this had the potential to cause harm to others.

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This monitoring visit

The provider’s recruitment practices do not comply with regulations. The provider does not always seek the most up-to-date information on a prospective employer’s performance, skills, competence and professional conduct. This practice does not reflect best practice and safer recruitment principles. Although staff need to produce two references from former employers, these do not always include the most recent employer.

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This monitoring visit

Children’s lived experiences are not captured accurately, as leaders and managers have failed to ensure that the staff keep precise records. An account in a daily log did not correspond with what a member of staff told the inspectors. As crucial information is not recorded accurately, those who review the records are unable to form an accurate evaluation on the practice of leaders, managers and staff in promoting the welfare of children.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have taken appropriate action and learned from a significant incident. They have introduced new processes to promote and enhance the children’s welfare. The revised admissions process now considers the potential risks for all children who live together in the premises, and specific male-only premises are now available.

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This monitoring visit

The staff now understand their safeguarding responsibilities, the organisation’s policies and the requirement to notify Ofsted when managing significant incidents. Staff have benefited from a reflective team meeting after a significant incident, where safeguarding practices, staff conduct and professional boundaries have been reviewed.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers demonstrate a commitment to supporting the staff and ensuring that they have the required skills for their role. Staff benefit from regular supervision sessions, team meetings and ongoing training. Staff training includes specific vocational training to enhance their professional knowledge. Staff have also received training in anticipation of an Ofsted inspection.

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This monitoring visit

Children say that they feel safe and that they are ‘very satisfied’ with the support that they receive. Children know how to complain and contact their respective social workers if they have concerns. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 3 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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This monitoring visit

Children are appropriately engaged in education. The organisation has a specialist worker who assists children with education, employment and training.

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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 registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

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Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 27 (3) (a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(f)) 27 October 2025

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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 27 October 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 4 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Requirement Due date

puts children first and prioritises their wellbeing 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

ensure that arrangements are in place to manage referrals of children to the supported accommodation undertaking and admissions of children to premises used as supported accommodation, including, where relevant, emergency referrals and admissions. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(f))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that leaders and managers carefully consider the child’s gender and needs in the referral documents to ensure that all the children who are placed together can do so safely.

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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

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

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the staff have a wide understanding of the potential risks posed to children, and that children’s risk assessments fully highlight those risks. 27 October 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—

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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, if the 27 October 2025 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 5 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Requirement Due date

registered person is satisfied that the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3). The requirements are that—

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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)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must seek a written reference from the person’s most recent employer.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the staff understand the importance of careful, objective and clear recording. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 58)

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and 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: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 6 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS ONLY

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Go Ahead Homes Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 591 London Road, Cheam, Sutton, Surrey SM3 9AG

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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Kevin Igbanoi Otsemobor

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Stephanie Okolo

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Inspectors

Phyllis Dyer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Go Ahead Homes Ltd. 7 SENSITIVE-RECIPIENTS 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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