Homes for Support

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 1 Homes for Support Registered provider: Homes for Support

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The service is owned and operated by a private provider. It offers accommodation for up to 5 children in self-contained premises and up to 30 children living in 8 shared or group living homes that are specifically for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17. The provider operates in the North-West region.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, 11 looked-after children or care leavers aged 16 or 17 were accommodated.

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provider

The service manager registered with Ofsted in October 2023.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 1 June 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site on 3 and 4 June 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 be within approximately 18 months.

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Summary of findings

Children enjoy living in their homes and have positive relationships with staff. A skilled staff team helps children to learn the skills they need for adulthood.

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Summary of findings

Most children are ready for independence and make good progress with support from staff.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have not been consistently diligent when making decisions about admitting children into the service. On one occasion, poor decision-making led to a child, who posed a high risk of harm to others, having their placement ended. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 2 Staff demonstrate a clear awareness of how to keep children safe. Leaders and managers provide training and good-quality supervision, ensuring that staff have the necessary skills to work effectively with looked-after children and care leavers.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are happy and settled in their homes. Their accommodation is maintained to a good standard, with high-quality furnishings. They live close to local amenities and benefit from good transport links.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff take an interest in children’s views and what matters most to them. Children can identify trusted staff members and say they feel heard. They understand how to raise complaints and are confident in the process. Leaders and managers have updated the welcome guide to include information on accessing an independent advocate; however, this has not yet been shared with children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers have implemented a system to consider all relevant information about children before making admission decisions. In most instances, decision-making is robust. However, one child was admitted to the service despite being known to threaten and assault staff. The child was not ready for independence, and staff were unable to support them effectively to reduce their offending behaviour. As a result, staff could not meet the child’s needs, and the placement ended. The decision led to poor outcomes for the child, whose needs were not aligned with the service’s statement of purpose.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers ensure that children receive a warm welcome when they move into their homes. Children are given the opportunity to visit their future home before they move in and meet staff and other children. Staff speak with children already living in the homes about new arrivals. This helps children to prepare for change and supports children in settling in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to register with primary healthcare services, including GPs, dentists, and opticians. They maintain links with specialist healthcare agencies, such as substance misuse and mental health services. Children are supported to attend appointments, promoting their health and emotional wellbeing.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Most children develop the skills they need for adulthood. They use workbooks to build their independence, and staff take pride in their achievements, celebrating their successes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff are responsive to children’s individual cultural needs. Children are supported to access activities and places of worship in their local community, helping them to develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

In one home, a noticeboard displayed sensitive personal data about children. Leaders and managers addressed this promptly by removing the information. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 3

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How well children are helped and protected

Risk assessments do not contain complete or up-to-date information about children’s vulnerabilities. It is not always clear what action staff should take in the event of a serious incident. As a result, staff rely on their skills and experience to manage incidents, which may mean that new or inexperienced staff are not able to support children effectively.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children know how to contact staff and managers if they are worried about their safety. Staff can also contact leaders and managers who provide on-call support in emergencies.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff deliver learning sessions to children on how to manage individual risks as they move towards independence. Children receive education on topics such as online safety, community risks, and healthy relationships. This helps to improve their self- confidence and resilience.

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How well children are helped and protected

Some children are not supported to take age-appropriate risks. For example, one child has all sharps removed, and their medication is managed by staff. There is no plan to support the child in developing responsibility for their own safety.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff understand the procedures to follow when children go missing from home. They maintain contact by telephone and text messaging children while they are in the community. Staff show concern for children’s welfare, and children are welcomed back when they return home. Incidents of children going missing have reduced.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers do not always inform the local authority when concerns arise about staff. For example, they did not report an allegation made by an adult about a member of staff who has worked with children in the service. This person is no longer employed by the organisation.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers notify Ofsted of safeguarding concerns without delay. This supports effective oversight by the regulator.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers do not advocate effectively for changes to children’s plans when their needs escalate beyond the scope of supported accommodation. As a result, children remain in placement with unmet care needs and require high levels of supervision. For example, frequent incidents involving one child led to restrictions on their independence rather than consideration of an alternative plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision from their line manager. Staff express their views on children’s needs and the support provided. Actions are completed and reviewed at each supervision meeting. Staff understand what is expected of them in their work with children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 4 Staff receive training that equips them with the skills to support children effectively. They undertake qualifications in children’s social care. In addition, staff have devised a training programme to share their expertise in supporting children who are separated from their family and country of origin. Leaders and managers value staff and are committed to developing the workforce.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers maintain good oversight of the service. The service manager carries out weekly and monthly monitoring of the quality of support and accommodation. This enables them to identify areas for improvement and support the ongoing development of the service. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 5

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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

work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies, and share information where relevant to keep children safe. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(f)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should work in collaboration with other safeguarding bodies when required. 5 July 2026

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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 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

lead and manage the supported accommodation undertaking in a way that is consistent with the ethos, and delivers the outcomes, set out in the undertaking’s statement of purpose. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)) 19 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs. 19 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 6 In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

ensure that children are encouraged and enabled to take a lead role in determining the support they receive and to participate in and influence how the supported accommodation operates;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full consultation with the child, taking account of relevant plans for the child;

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Requirement Due date

keep the child’s support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe;

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Requirement Due date

engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child’s support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f))

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that children’s personal information and records are stored securely. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards,’ page 58)  The registered person should ensure that the young person’s guide outlines how children can access independent advocacy and includes details of the complaints procedures. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards,’ page 43)

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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: Homes for Support 7

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Northern Point Developments Ltd, Northern House, 3 Kennerleys Lane, Wilmslow SK9 5EQ

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: info@homesforsupport.co.uk

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Inspectors

Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Steve James, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Homes for Support 8 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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