Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 1 Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd Registered provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider in the East Midlands region. It can accommodate up to 14 individuals in four shared or group living premises that are not limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers. At the time of inspection, eight looked-after children aged 16 or 17 were being accommodated.

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provider

The service manager registered with Ofsted in January 2024.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 20 October 2025 and started that day. The inspector was on site on 22 and 23 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 3 years.

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Summary of findings

Staff have good relationships with children. They understand children’s needs and are ambitious for them.

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Summary of findings

Children’s cultural needs are identified and understood by the staff.

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Summary of findings

Children feel safe where they live. They feel listened to by staff and managers.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have a good level of oversight of the service. They are reflective and value feedback from stakeholders.

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Summary of findings

Children have opportunities to take part in new experiences. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

All children attend education or have plans in place to start in the near future. Staff prioritise children’s education and have good links with local providers. They encourage children to attend education and provide transport where necessary. Staff understand the importance of developing language skills and work with children to support this. As a result, children have high aspirations, with some continuing their education at university. Staff celebrate children’s educational achievements with them. This creates lasting memories for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children develop social relationships and provide them with regular activities. Children take part in a weekly challenge, for example baking brownies, as well as community-based outings. Staff ensure that activities are accessible to all This reduces isolation and allows children to get to know one another. Links to local youth groups enhance this and allow the children to feel more confident and achieves a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children maintain their significant relationships and support them in searching for friends and family they may have lost contact with. For children who are separated from their families, staff support them in working with specialist agencies. Staff provide emotional support to children and show awareness and understanding of trauma. They also encourage children to access services such as counselling, but at their own pace. Services are selected with consideration for any language barriers to ensure these are accessible to all. All children say that they feel safe in the accommodation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff prepare children for independence, with individualised support plans and skills assessments. Plans are easy to read and reviewed regularly, meaning that progress can be tracked. This ensures that children are ready for any move-on plans when they reach adulthood. Some children move to the provider’s post-18 accommodation; this ensures continuity and a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers provide a written guide to welcome children to the service. This guide includes the support children can expect from the service. The guide is accessible for children who do not understand written English.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children live in safe, comfortable accommodation. Communal areas are spacious and well equipped. Gardens are accessible and provide an inviting space for children to socialise and grow their own fruit and vegetables. Some areas of accommodation require improvement to ensure that they are always homely and consistently maintained to a good standard. Leaders and managers are proactive and have made some changes to the accommodation to ensure they are ready for children to move in. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 3

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff ensure that children can live together safely. The registered service manager considers all known risks before children move into their home. When information is limited, regular reviews take place to ensure that any new risks are considered and built into plans. Leaders and managers ensure that staff receive regular training around risks such as county lines and child exploitation.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children know how to complain and can identify a trusted adult. There is a consistent staff team, which enables children to build trusting relationships. One child had requested a move to another home and was able to raise their concerns. The registered person considered these views, and a planned move took place subject to an assessment process. Staff work well with children to ensure that they feel listened to and valued.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff follow appropriate procedures when children go missing from home. They recognise children’s individual vulnerabilities and follow police and local authority protocols. Staff care about children’s safety in the community and complete work with children to improve awareness. They build relationships with children to know where they are and when they are going to return. Children feel supported and rarely go missing from their homes.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff recognise the signs of exploitation in children. They consider the vulnerabilities of children who are separated from their families. Staff support children in developing awareness of risk, such as online safety and scams. They also support children with British values and understanding the laws. This also supports children in recognising exploitation and keeping themselves safe.

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How well children are helped and protected

The registered person does not always ensure that recruitment processes are robust. Despite recruitment checks being completed, these are not always thorough. This shortfall makes it challenging for the registered person to be assured that staff are suitably experienced for the role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers are dedicated to providing quality support for children. They work closely as a team and ensure that both staff and children feel valued. They are ambitious for children and want their experiences to be meaningful. The registered person is passionate about the service and the support they deliver. The registered person regularly visits the homes and is a familiar, trusted individual to children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers regularly monitor the quality of support provided. This includes consultation with children, staff and professionals. They learn from feedback and any incidents to ensure that the service provides quality support, in line with regulation. Weekly management and team meetings provide spaces for reflection and service development. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 4 Staff training is prioritised and valued. Leaders and managers lead by example, ensuring that training is accessible to all and is a focus in team meetings. One staff member commented: ‘The guidance and encouragement I have received from management have been exceptional, and I am genuinely looking forward to continuing to grow and contribute within the team.’

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers communicate well with other agencies in children’s lives. Managers provide agencies with a monthly report, which highlight children’s progress and future targets. Leaders and managers are also aware of children’s rights and entitlements and advocate for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff have regular supervision from leaders and managers. However, supervision does not always allow staff to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children. Leaders and managers do recognise this inconsistency and how this limits staff’s understanding of the role. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that recruitment practices are robust. They should ensure that staff have the relevant skills, qualifications and recent experience to support children. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 16)  The registered person should ensure that supported accommodation settings are always homely and welcoming environments. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 29)  The registered person should ensure that supervision allows staff to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children accommodated in the setting. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 51)

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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: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: admin@care4lifehealthcare.co.uk

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Inspector

Helen Wallis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Care4LifeHealthcare Services 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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Inspector

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