Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 1 Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation Registered provider: Warrington Borough Council

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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 14 children and young people in total. This includes 7 shared or group-living premises that are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers. There is also one self-contained premises for the sole purpose of individual children.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 8 looked-after children age 16 or 17 years were being accommodated.

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provider

The service manager has been registered with Ofsted since March 2024.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 2 February 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 4 to 5 February 2026.

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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

Children feel positive about their accommodation and the support from staff. They benefit from well-planned transitions into and out of the service. Staff help them to build the independent living skills they need so they can move into their own accommodation successfully.

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Summary of findings

Staff demonstrate a thorough understanding of each child's needs, which informs the support they provide. They promote children's engagement in education, training and employment. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 2 Leaders and managers have good oversight of the service. This ensures that staff practice is monitored effectively and that children receive consistent, well- coordinated support. They use reflective learning to improve systems and outcomes for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children report feeling happy in their accommodation and feel safe. They feel that they have support from staff for whatever they need. One child said, 'I like all of the staff who work and support me. I much prefer living where I am now and with the staff team around me.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children move into their accommodation in a planned way. They visit before and stay over. This helps children to feel less anxious and prepare for a new stage in their lives. One social worker said, 'I feel that there was real strength in this transition plan and contributed towards this being a success for [name of child] and, as such, has continued to thrive.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support unaccompanied asylum-seeking children. They help them to get to know the local area. Staff use interpreters, translation apps and written materials to support communication. They respect each child's culture and faith. This supports children to feel secure and valued as they settle.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to access education, employment and training. They help them to find the option that suits them best. Children get guidance from education and employment advisers. Children have future aspirations, such as going to university, working in construction and running their own business.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children develop practical skills for independent living with support from staff. They learn to budget, cook meals and maintain their homes. This equips them well for adulthood.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff ensure that plans are in place to help children move on. They keep the child's wishes and feelings at the centre of this. They work in close coordination with the personal advisers and social workers. This approach helps children progress to having their own tenancies.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers ensure that children's plans meet their needs. Staff keep plans up to date and identify risks and actions to reduce the risk of harm. They understand what each child needs to stay safe. Support increases or decreases depending on the needs of the child.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff develop positive, trusting relationships with children. Each child has a named worker. When staff are not at the accommodation, children can access on-call and out-of-hours support. Children are clear about expectations. Staff use a fair and Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 3 proportionate warning system. This helps children to understand their behaviour and the consequences of it.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff complete a range of training in safeguarding children. They work one to one with children to help them understand how to stay safe. If a child is missing from home, staff follow procedures. All children have return home interviews. This helps to promote safety for children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff promote children's physical and emotional wellbeing. Children have access to the health services they need, including doctors, dentists and opticians. Staff also consult with a mental health practitioner. This strengthens the support offered to children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff take a holistic approach and collaborate with partner agencies to support children. This includes support on matters such as sexual health and substance misuse. Children attend weekly drop-ins at a local hub where a range of support is available.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers ensure that children's accommodation is well maintained. They take account of any concerns about the local area. There is access to amenities, including health services, education and shops. This supports children to become more independent.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have strengthened the referral process. They now ensure that children are ready for supported accommodation before they move in. They assess each child's needs and risks and consider the needs of those already living there. Previously, leaders and managers did not fully consider children's suitability for supported accommodation, and this affected some children's outcomes.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers maintain strong oversight of the service. They manage it in line with the statement of purpose. They are child centred and set a positive tone for staff and children. They know the children well and understand the progress that each child is making.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers undertake audits of the service. They identify areas of strength and development through their reviews. They consider the views of children and partner agencies. This oversight helps to support ongoing learning for the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers recruit experienced staff and follow safer recruitment. They provide support and have oversight of staff. They use performance management processes when needed. These measures help to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff have regular supervisions with managers. They are positive about working for the organisation and the support they receive. One member of staff said, Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 4 'Supervisions and team meetings are always conducted on time and provide a safe space for reflection on both case management and self.'

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Social workers are positive about the support that staff give children. They say that there is good communication and working relationships. They feel that staff help children to progress. They prepare them for independent living. Staff advocate for children and care about them. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 5

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the individual needs of each child are fully considered when arranging supported accommodation, so that the setting is appropriate to meet their needs and keep them safe. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 8-9).

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Information about this inspection

The inspector has 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: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 1 Time Square, Warrington WA1 2NT

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: pfidler@warrington.gov.uk

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Inspector

Amanda Cooper, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Warrington Borough Council Supported Accommodation 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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