Inicio Group Supported Accommodation (Service Three)

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 1 Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) Registered provider: Inicio Group Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The service registered with Ofsted on 25 July 2023 and is operated by a private provider in the North West region. The provider also operates 3 other supported accommodation services across different areas of England.

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provider

The service provides accommodation for up to 29 individuals in self-contained premises. In addition, it provides accommodation for a further 2 individuals in shared or group-living homes that are not limited to looked-after children or care leavers.

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provider

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

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provider

The nominated individual resigned from their role prior to the inspection being announced. They remain as a director of the company and were present during the inspection. The provider advised inspectors that a proposed nominated individual intends to apply for registration with Ofsted.

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provider

The service manager registered with Ofsted on 3 November 2025.

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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 21 and 22 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. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 2

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Summary of findings

Children enjoy living in good-quality accommodation that is clean and well maintained.

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Summary of findings

Children report that they are happy with the support they receive from staff. One child said, ‘Staff make me feel comfortable and listened to and always try their best to help whenever I need anything.’

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Summary of findings

Staff support children to develop the independence skills needed for adult life, helping to build their practical skills. Children’s plans are effective and promote their safety.

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Summary of findings

The registered service manager knows the children well. Leaders and managers maintain strong oversight of the service and make effective use of feedback from children, staff and social workers to further develop the quality of support and accommodation provided.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children report that they are happy living in their homes. They live in good-quality accommodation that is well maintained and secure. Children’s apartments are in the same building as staff accommodation, enabling them to enjoy both privacy and company when they wish. Opportunities such as weekly communal meals, as well as various activities and outings, help children feel included and develop a sense of belonging.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff have nurturing relationships with children and speak about them with warmth and affection. Children know that staff care about them. Staff have high expectations for children and are proud of their achievements. One child said, ‘[Name of staff member] is always smiling, says he is proud of me and tells me “well done”.’

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to register with and make appointments with doctors and dentists. They have established links with mental health agencies from the statutory and voluntary sectors. Children’s emotional and physical health needs are prioritised.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children’s views are listened to and taken seriously. The complaints process is detailed in the children’s welcome guide and is accessible and easy to follow. Children are confident that any concerns they raise will be addressed promptly and impartially. Staff also support children to access independent advocacy.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff are respectful of children’s cultural needs. They support children who are separated from their families and countries of origin to access community amenities in the local area, helping to build wider support networks. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 3 Staff use interpreters during learning sessions and important meetings when children speak English as an additional language. This helps staff identify how children would like to be supported and demonstrate their progress.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children spend time with people who are important to them. Visitors are welcomed, including overnight stays where appropriate and safe. For example, a child has recently been on holiday with a friend’s family. Staff recognise the importance of children sustaining meaningful relationships and informal support networks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to develop the skills required for adult life. Leaders and managers provide a structured plan of learning sessions, which are tailored to children’s individual interests and learning needs.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff provide effective support to children during serious incidents. Records clearly detail what has occurred and the actions taken by staff to reduce risk and promote children’s safety.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children and staff make appropriate use of the management on-call service. Following incidents, staff speak with children to support their wellbeing. Managers review records and evaluate what actions are necessary to reduce the likelihood of future incidents.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff understand their responsibilities to safeguard children. Risk assessments are clear and identify all known risks to children. Staff have received training in areas such as knife crime awareness and harm reduction in relation to substance misuse. Learning sessions help children understand their individual vulnerabilities and how to stay safe. Children have access to specialist support from voluntary agencies. As a result, children have reduced or ceased their misuse of illegal substances.

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How well children are helped and protected

When children go missing from home, staff communicate effectively with the police and social workers. Staff check on children’s wellbeing by telephone and contact their friends, family and acquaintances. When they return, children are offered support to address their emotional wellbeing. In response to one child going missing frequently, leaders and managers worked closely with other agencies to revise the child’s plan. Effective information-sharing about emerging risks in the community contributed to improved safety for the child.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff recognise the signs of criminal exploitation in children and know how to respond appropriately, including contacting multi-agency safeguarding partners. Children feel able to express any concerns they may have in the community.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager knows the children well and demonstrates a friendly and compassionate approach. Children can contact her easily and value opportunities to meet informally, such as having a coffee and sharing their Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 4 experiences. The service manager ensures that all staff are aware of her whereabouts during working hours. She is supported effectively by the senior leadership team, and clear management arrangements are in place when she is absent or on leave.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers maintain effective oversight of the service. They use feedback from children, staff, families and other agencies to inform the development of support and accommodation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers usually gather comprehensive information about children’s needs and risks before admission. However, this process has not always been robust. For example, 2 children were not adequately prepared for a higher level of independence on admission. This reduces the likelihood of children making progress and increases the risk that their needs may not be fully met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers do not always obtain satisfactory employment references for applicants for prospective staff. In one case, this did not provide sufficient assurance that a staff member was suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are skilled in working with looked-after children and care leavers. New staff benefit from a structured induction and training plan, which ensures that they are competent to work in supported accommodation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision from their line managers and participate in regular group discussions with their colleagues. These forums provide opportunities for staff to reflect on their wellbeing, children’s needs, and social care practice. Staff report feeling confident to raise concerns. Additional team and management meetings further support peer learning, with leaders and managers providing respectful challenge.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers support staff’s continuous professional development. Staff undertake relevant diplomas and specialist management training where appropriate. Staff say that senior managers are approachable and show interest in their wellbeing and career progression. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 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 registered person must recruit staff using recruitment procedures that are designed to ensure children’s safety.

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Requirement Due date

Subject to paragraph (4), the registered person may only—

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Requirement Due date

employ an individual for the purposes of the provision of supported accommodation, or

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Requirement Due date

if an individual is employed by a person other than the registered person to work for the supported accommodation undertaking in a position in which the individual may have regular contact with children, allow that individual to work for the supported accommodation undertaking,

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Requirement Due date

if the registered person is satisfied that the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (3).

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Requirement Due date

the individual has the experience, qualifications and skills appropriate for the work that the individual is to perform,

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Requirement Due date

full and satisfactory information is available in relation to the individual in respect of each of the matters in Schedule 1. (Regulation 17 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(b)(d)) 5 July 2026

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that only children who are appropriately prepared for greater levels of independence are admitted to supported accommodation. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 8) Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 6

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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: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 7

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Suite 301, The Genesis Centre, Garrett Field, Warrington WA3 7BH

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Nominated individual:

Registered service manager: Emma Connolly

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Nominated individual:

Email address: p.glover@inicio-group.co.uk

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Inspectors

Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Helen Fee, Social Care Inspector Steve James, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Inicio Supported Accommodation (Service Four) 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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