Dunborne Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 1 Dunborne Ltd Registered provider: Dunborne Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is owned and managed by a private provider. The service can accommodate up to 7 children in 2 shared or group-living homes that are limited to accommodating looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, this service was providing supported accommodation for 3 children aged 16 and 17 years. Two children took the opportunity to speak with the inspector.

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provider

The service manager has been registered with Ofsted since September 2024. The provider was registered in December 2023.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 1 June 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 3 June to 4 June 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 make excellent progress from their starting points. Staff build positive and trusting relationships with children. Children feel safe and supported. This helps them to develop confidence and independence as they prepare for adulthood.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have high aspirations for children's outcomes. Staff receive effective training that equips them to meet children's needs well. As a result, children trust that adults understand them and will respond appropriately.

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Summary of findings

Children, staff and professionals speak highly about the help provided. This contributes to improved outcomes and supports children to be ready for their next steps. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children say that they enjoy living here and feel safe. One child said, 'I was told when moving here to lower my expectations; this place has exceeded all my expectations.' Another child said, 'They [staff] have helped me sort my life out.' Children say that they are supported to have positive endings and move on in a good way as they reach independence. A child who is preparing to move to independence said, 'The support has helped so much and made all the difference.' They said the support has enabled them to develop confidence and skills they would not have thought possible.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are supported effectively to make progress in education and employment. Children achieve well. Those in education are working towards GCSEs and have clear aspirations to move on to further education. Children who are not in full-time education or employment are supported to access positive opportunities that match their interests and support their development.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children live in homes that are warm, welcoming and well maintained. The homes provide children with the resources they need to develop their independence skills. Children say that they are happy with their homes and personalised bedrooms. Communal areas are bright and homely and provide children with spaces to relax and socialise.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are supported by staff who know them well. Staff are skilled and experienced in supporting and advocating for children. Staff demonstrate a strong understanding of children's needs and consistently show a clear commitment to improving their outcomes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children move on from their home in a planned and well-supported way. Many children maintain contact with staff after they leave at 18 years old and sustain positive relationships with adults who are important to them. The provider is developing the provision to enable children to access their own tenancies at age 18, supporting positive transitions into adulthood.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children are settled and trust staff. Children rarely go missing from their home. When they do, staff respond appropriately and follow procedures to ensure their safe return. Staff demonstrate a secure understanding of safeguarding concerns and how to recognise and respond to these in line with procedures.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff identify and understand children's vulnerabilities. Daily records are written to children and reflect their views. Staff support children to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe. Children's progress is captured in individualised records with clear actions. Leaders and managers recognise that risk assessments and support plans would benefit from greater involvement of children to ensure that these better reflect how they understand their own vulnerabilities. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 3 Leaders and managers have effective recruitment systems in place to ensure that staff are suitable to support children. The staff team is stable and brings a wide range of skills and experience. Staff are supported to access training and qualifications, which help them to carry out their roles with confidence. As a result, children are supported by staff who know them well and understand how to keep them safe.

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How well children are helped and protected

Professionals provide positive feedback about the service. They report that the support that children receive helps them to make progress. Professionals also say that communication is effective and speak highly of the management team.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers show a strong commitment to supporting children and improving their outcomes. They are visible and effective leaders who motivate the staff team to provide high-quality support. Children and staff know the managers well and feel confident to approach them when needed.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers demonstrate a strong understanding of children's needs. They are skilled and experienced and have high aspirations for children to succeed. They recognise the importance of recording decision-making in leadership meetings and have clear plans in place to strengthen this further.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff receive regular supervision that is comprehensive and well documented. The staff team meets with leaders regularly, and these meetings have clear agendas and actions that focus on children. Staff are supported to complete relevant qualifications. Training, supervision and appraisal equip staff with the skills and confidence to support children and respond to any challenges they may face. Most staff have worked for the organisation for over 2 years, and staff report that they feel valued and enjoy their work.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have developed the admission and referral process to ensure that children are fully involved in decisions about their future and where they live. Children are encouraged to visit the service during the referral process so that they understand what is being offered and are central to decision-making. As a result, children move in well prepared and with a clear understanding of how they will be supported. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 4

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children are actively involved in shaping their support plan, which should consider their views, wishes and feelings. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 34)

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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.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was announced on 1 June 2026, and the inspectors were on site from 3 June 2026 to 4 June 2026. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 5

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Philip Watts

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Inspector

Karen O'Neill, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dunborne Ltd 6 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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