Akela Future Living Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living Ltd 1 Akela Future Living Ltd Registered provider: Akela Future Living Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The service is operated by a private provider in the West Midlands. It provides accommodation for up to 54 children. This includes 18 shared or group-living premises that are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers, and 2 self-contained premises intended for individual children.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, 19 looked-after children aged 16 and 17 were accommodated.

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provider

The service manager and nominated individual roles are held by the same person, who has been registered with Ofsted since 23 October 2023.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 18 May 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site on 20 and 21 May 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 experience predominately positive outcomes, living in environments where they feel happy, settled and safe. Staff use creative and engaging activities effectively to promote children’s independence and build their confidence.

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Summary of findings

Staff consistently report positive experiences of organisational support, highlighting a strong and cohesive team culture.

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Summary of findings

The registered manager is an inspirational leader who knows children and staff well and has high aspirations for everyone. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living Ltd 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children feel safe, settled and happy in their homes. They are positive about the support they receive from staff and are making good progress. One child said that they feel more settled than they have ever been since moving in. Another child said, ‘It is a nice place to live. I would not change anything.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff use creative approaches to support children in developing their independent living skills. This includes one-to-one support and community events. For example, children participated in a cooking event where they were given a budget to prepare a meal, which was then judged by staff. This type of activity helps build children’s confidence in an enjoyable way.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff provide effective support to unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, helping them become familiar with their home and the local area. Staff respect each child’s culture, faith and background. Interpreters are used where needed, and some staff members speak relevant languages. Written information is available in a range of languages, which helps children feel safe, supported and respected.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff understand children’s needs and provide tailored one-to-one support. They use audio and visual resources. Topics covered include healthy relationships, safety in the community and exploitation. Staff support children with their emotional wellbeing and the practical aspects of daily life.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to engage in education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities. They help them identify the option that suits them best. Leaders and managers have introduced a mock interview day, and they also support children with applications to national programmes. Children say they enjoy learning, particularly English, and speak positively about their future goals, including careers as nurses and electricians. Staff also encourage children to pursue their interests, such as art, cricket and football.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff promote children’s physical and emotional wellbeing. The organisation is currently focusing on a self-care theme, with staff offering support to children. Children can access the gym or receive face masks. Staff also encourage low-cost or free activities, such as going on walks. Children have access to appropriate healthcare services, and staff liaise with a mental health practitioner to strengthen the support available.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff know the children well and understand their individual needs. They update children’s plans regularly and track their progress. Children can access on-call and out-of-hours support and are clear about expectations. Staff apply a fair and proportionate approach to managing behaviour, which helps children understand expectations and consequences. Children stay safe and say they feel able to speak openly with staff. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living Ltd 3 Staff undertake additional training in response to the specific risks for the children they support. They also use team meetings to reflect on children’s needs, research and learning, including topics such as knife crime, the impact of trauma, and exploitation. Staff provide one-to-one support to help children stay safe in their homes and the community. Staff support children with care and purpose. As a result,

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How well children are helped and protected

children report feeling safe and supported.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers respond appropriately when concerns arise about staff. They carry out investigations and record their findings, and they use performance management processes when needed. They involve the local authority when required, which helps reduce risk, promotes accountability and keeps children safe.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers ensure that plans are in place for children approaching adulthood. Staff help children develop the skills needed for independent living. Children feel settled and supported and understand their options for the next stage of their lives. Staff prepare children for moving on, which helps them feel confident and ready for adulthood.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff encourage children to personalise their accommodation. Children have access to local amenities, including health resources, education, shops and places of worship. Information about the accommodation and local area is readily available. Children enjoy a sense of ownership and independence. Overall, leaders and managers ensure that children’s accommodation is well maintained; however, the gardens need upkeep, and in one property, the bathroom and kitchen require minor repairs.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers ensure that children moving in are appropriately prepared for supported accommodation. They assess needs and risks to ensure that placements for children are safe and suitable. Incidents, including children going missing from home, are rare, and staff are aware of the relevant procedures. However, on one occasion, there was a delay in staff reporting a child missing from home, and the child did not receive an independent return home interview. Leaders and managers have not challenged the child’s placing authority in relation to this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the service and manage it in line with its statement of purpose. They adopt a child-centred and inspirational approach in their work with children and staff. They demonstrate a clear understanding of children’s individual needs and the progress they make. One child said, ‘[Name of staff member] is an angel; I can call him in tears and end the call laughing.’ Children report feeling safe and understood.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff speak positively about the support they receive, including regular supervision. The registered manager is caring and attentive to staff and children, fostering a positive atmosphere. This helps staff to provide effective support for children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living Ltd 4 Leaders and managers have systems in place to assess the quality of the service. They identify strengths and areas for development. They gather feedback from children, staff and local authorities and review the progress children make. There is a clear focus on continuous improvement.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers work in partnership with relevant agencies. Staff keep social workers informed about each child. They share reports for updates and meetings. Social workers value this communication, which ensures they remain well informed about children’s progress.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers follow safer recruitment processes and have appropriate workforce arrangements in place. This helps ensure that staff are suitable to work with children. However, the workforce plan does not include details about this.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Children know how to raise concerns, and staff are clear about whistleblowing procedures. However, one individual holds the roles of registered person, nominated individual and director. There is no clear internal approach for managing complaints relating to this individual. Leaders and managers plan to make improvements and detail this in their policies to ensure transparency in their approach. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living Ltd 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that the homes are consistently well maintained so they provide a homely and welcoming environment. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 28)  The registered person should ensure that the workforce plan outlines the process for training, induction, probation, supervision and addressing poor performance. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, pages 47 and 48)  The registered person should ensure that responses to children who go missing from home reflect statutory guidance. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 55)  The registered person should ensure that the complaints procedure includes an independent process for addressing any concerns or complaints raised about them by children, staff or others. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation

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Recommendations

Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 61)

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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: Akela Future Living Ltd 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Akela Future Living Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Max Carrington

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: ask@akelafutureliving.com

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Inspectors

Amanda Cooper, Social Care Inspector Amie Pearson, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Akela Future Living 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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