Belinda Ferrison House

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 1 Belinda Ferrison House Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by Homes2Inspire, which is part of the Shaw Trust Group. It is situated in the East Midlands region and can accommodate up to 19 individuals in single occupancy accommodation.

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provider

At the time of inspection, one looked-after child aged 16 or 17 was being accommodated.

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provider

The service was registered in October 2023.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 27 April 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 29 to 30 April 2026.

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Outcome

Inconsistent quality of service delivery adversely affects some children's experiences and this may limit their progress. Leaders and managers must make improvements. The next inspection will take place within approximately 18 months.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not always ensured that appropriate steps are taken to immediately safeguard children.

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Summary of findings

Children pay for their electricity use. This is having a significant impact on children and is a major worry for them.

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Summary of findings

Some children feel isolated. They do not know who their neighbours are and do not feel a sense of community.

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Summary of findings

Staff develop positive relationships with children. They take time to get to know the children and understand how they can best support them. Children can identify staff who they can talk to and know how to complain. Children feel safe where they live and can access the support of staff throughout the day and night. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 2 Leaders and managers have a good level of oversight of the service. They prioritise the training and development of staff.

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Summary of findings

The accommodation is clean and safe but requires some modernisation to ensure that children live in warm, welcoming homes. Leaders and managers recognise where improvements need to be made. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children's day-to-day plans reflect their support needs. Information from children's referrals is embedded in the plans and children are consulted about them. Plans are regularly updated to reflect the child's journey.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are well supported to secure future housing and to understand this process. Staff see the importance of children having aspirations and start exploring their wishes and feelings early.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff understand the value of education and employment. They encourage children to attend. Staff support children to understand the different types of education in the area to allow them to make informed choices. Staff work with other agencies to explore opportunities for children to overcome any barriers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff provide informative workshops for children. Sessions focus on key topics, such as internet safety or independence skills. Children have regular key-work sessions and have access to a 'training flat'. Children use this to practise independence skills and can access sexual health resources in a discreet way. The flat includes a spare clothing rail and a gym. These support children to budget more effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff host a weekly brunch to encourage children to come together. Staff try to make any communal areas feel more homely. For example, they added a small library and seating areas. Despite this, children report feeling isolated and lonely in their accommodation. Children could not identify who their neighbours were and do not socialise with those who they live with. The accommodation lacks a sense of community for children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children worry about being able to heat their homes. Children are expected to pay for their own electricity via a token metre. The registered manager wants children to be able to develop their budgeting skills, ready for later life. However, this has created significant concerns for children. Some children borrow money and occupy one room of their home to be able to stay warm. The accommodation has single glazed windows and electric storage heaters, which increase heating costs for children. In addition, all amenities, such as showers and cooking appliances, are electric. The current expectation for children significantly impacts on their experiences and ability to maintain a warm and comfortable home.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children said that they feel safe in their homes. They can identify staff who they trust and can speak to if they have any concerns. Children know where to find staff, day or night. When children move in, they are made aware of the CCTV in use and do not feel that this impacts on their privacy.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff develop trusting relationships with children. This supports children in staying safe. For example, staff were concerned about the welfare of a child, and this was Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 4 openly discussed with the child. Staff used professional curiosity to understand the risks and used appropriate challenge. This led to the child being able to share important information and work with the staff to understand why this was a concern and how to reduce these risks.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff understand the risks that children can face in society. All children have missing- from-home plans, which staff are familiar with. They recognise signs of exploitation and keep up to date with developing trends. Staff consider topics such as artificial intelligence and social media and encourage children to be part of group conversations about this. This provides a safe space for children to share experiences and learn more about these risks.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers do not always ensure that plans are in place to support children when in crisis. When children have needed short-term increases in support, safety plans have been unclear. Children were not consulted on the support they received, and immediate safeguards were not always appropriate. Records do not reflect how staff should support the children to keep them safe. This significantly increases risks for children, particularly when they live alone.

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How well children are helped and protected

There are safer recruitment processes in place. When staff are initially recruited, these processes are followed. However, on one occasion, leaders and managers did not ensure that necessary, ongoing checks were completed in a timely manner when a significant change occurred on a member of staff's Disclosure and Barring Service check. When the concern was identified, leaders and managers did not take sufficient action to mitigate the risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager ensures that children moving into the accommodation are ready for supported accommodation. A clear referral process is embedded in the service. Children are consulted during this process and complete an application form. This helps to identify the support that children feel they need. Children understand what the service can offer. Leaders and managers explore risks and consider the other children living in the accommodation when making decisions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers regularly monitor the quality of support provided and have a good oversight of the service. Staff have clear responsibilities and a sense of shared ownership about their practice. Monitoring systems are in place, and managers meet on a weekly basis to review the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive an induction to the role and regular supervision. Staff feel well supported by leaders and managers. They feel valued and are able to share any concerns. Leaders and managers recognise that there have been a lot of changes to the staff team. Some agency staff have been used during this period. However, children feel that the staff team is consistent and familiar.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager ensures that staff are suitably trained to understand the needs of the children. Staff recognise that the training is helpful and use this in Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 5 practice. The manager takes time to develop a monthly training plan, considering any emerging needs or risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager works with other agencies that support the children. He is present in the service and familiar to the staff and children. Weekly team meetings support the manager in having oversight of the service. Information is regularly shared with other agencies. As a result, the manager has a good knowledge of each child's progress. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 6

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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

have their individual needs met. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that staff work with children to develop plans to support them in keeping themselves safe at times of crisis, and that plans are clearly communicated with staff. The registered person must also ensure that they are satisfied that staff are safe to work with children. 14 June 2026

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Requirement Due date

The accommodation standard is that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

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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 premises used as supported accommodation—

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Requirement Due date

provide stability and consistency of accommodation for children; 14 June 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 7 promote children's positive self-esteem and sense of belonging within the local community, and discourage stigmatisation of children;

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Requirement Due date

are designed and furnished so as to meet the needs of each child individually and all children collectively;

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Requirement Due date

are suitable for the purposes of supported accommodation and are accessible, safe, secure and well-maintained;

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Requirement Due date

offer a comfortable, positive and nurturing environment, while respecting children's need for privacy;

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Requirement Due date

are adequately maintained so as to provide a welcoming and homely environment within both individual and shared living spaces. (Regulation (6) (1) (2)(b)(i)(iii)(v)(vi)(vii)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the accommodation is sufficiently maintained and heated, enabling children to live comfortably in a homely environment.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that the children do not feel isolated as a result of their accommodation or support. The accommodation should enable a sense of belonging for young people, who should be supported by staff to participate in positive relationships in the local community. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 24)

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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: Belinda Ferrison House 8

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Black Country House, Rounds Green Road, Oldbury B69 2DG

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Toby Shears-Brown

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: toby.shears-brown@homes2inspire.co.uk

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Inspector

Helen Wallis, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Belinda Ferrison House 9 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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