Harvest Care Group

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 1 Harvest Care Group

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Registered provider: Harvest Care Group Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The provider registered with Ofsted on 15 February 2025. It offers ring-fenced shared and solo occupancy accommodation for up to 28 children across 6 premises.

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provider

At the time of this visit, 7 children aged 16 and 17 were living in 3 of the shared ring- fenced premises.

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provider

One child moved into the service on 20 April 2026, the same day as the last monitoring visit. Since the last monitoring visit, one child has turned 18 years of age.

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provider

The registered service manager left in November 2025. A service manager has been in post since May 2026. They have yet to submit a complete application to Ofsted for registration.

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provider

The nominated individual who was part of the initial registration stood down from this post in February 2026. A new proposed nominated individual was appointed in May 2026. On 8 June 2026, they withdrew their application to Ofsted to be involved in the operation of the service.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a full inspection on 25 February 2026. The inspection identified widespread shortfalls, resulting in 3 compliance notices being issued relating to leadership and management, the accommodation standard, and notifications of significant safeguarding events.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out a monitoring visit on 20 April 2026. The provider had improved the systems for reporting significant events to Ofsted. However, shortfalls remained with the leadership and management arrangements and the accommodation Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 2 standard. Compliance notices relating to these areas were reissued. Additional shortfalls were identified regarding the fitness of the registered provider, and the appointment of a manager. A compliance notice under Regulation 11 and Regulation 14 were issued to address this. Due to the significant regulatory failings, Ofsted issued a restriction of accommodation notice on 23 April 2026. This prevented the provider from accepting any new children into the service.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to review the progress made towards meeting the steps outlined in the compliance notices, and the provider’s compliance with adhering to the restriction of accommodation notice.

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This monitoring visit

The provider, leaders and managers failed to consider a child’s holistic needs, so that they could evaluate the ability of the manager’s and staff’s abilities to meet the child’s needs before the child was accepted into the service.

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This monitoring visit

A service manager has been appointed. They have yet to submit a complete application to Ofsted. This prevents Ofsted from assessing the individual’s capacity and suitability to make the required improvements needed to improve the service for children. The application was received following this monitoring visit.

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This monitoring visit

The lack of effective oversight from the provider and sole director means that the leadership and management arrangements have yet to be addressed. These shortfalls mean that the accommodation for children has yet to be improved so that avoidable hazards inside and outside are identified and rectified immediately. The 3 compliance notices relating to these shortfalls have been reissued.

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This monitoring visit

Staff have withdrawn from their post, and others have raised concerns about not being paid. The provider failed to demonstrate to Ofsted that it remains financially viable to continue to operate the service. An additional compliance notice under Regulation 35 has been issued.

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This monitoring visit

The service continues to lack direction and leadership. The lack of nominated individual and registered service manager means that there is no one taking responsibility for the day-to-day operation of the service. The sole director, who has remained out of the country, failed to give the most recent proposed nominated individual the authority to make key decisions in line with their role. Therefore, there is no one actively present or effective in making improvements for children in the service.

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This monitoring visit

The service continues to run as separate entities. At the same time, the managers and staff in the premises try their best to support children and maintain their own communication and monitoring systems. This prevents children’s reports and records being accessed quickly, any prevents joined-up communication across the service. This also hinders senior leaders from maintaining effective oversight of the service so that they have a true understanding of the experiences and progress of children across the service. This can expose children to gaps and delays. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 3 Ineffective management and monitoring systems prevent the current service manager from having effective oversight of the service. He could not provide the details of the children who are currently in the provision, or any additional information about some of the significant incidents that Ofsted had been notified of.

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This monitoring visit

The support and supervision of staff remains ineffective. The proposed registered manager received only one supervision when they first took on their acting role. They could not provide any details of when staff have received supervision sessions. Records show that most home managers have not received any supervision sessions since the last registered service manager left in November 2025. Some support workers do not receive regular supervision sessions.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has failed to notify Ofsted when children have been arrested. This hinders Ofsted’s ability to monitor and assess the provider’s response to these children.

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This monitoring visit

Some children go missing from their homes often. One child does not have a support plan in place to help staff with managing this behaviour. When children do have a support plan in place, they do not support staff to keep the children safe.

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This monitoring visit

Staff remain ill-equipped to support children safely. The provider has failed to ensure that staff receive appropriate training, support and guidance in children’s plans so that they can meet the needs of the children. Consequently, the police were called to manage unsafe visitors in the home.

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This monitoring visit

The provider failed to update its statement of purpose to ensure it accurately reflects the service delivery, including the correct category of registration.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has improved its recruitment practice and provided a workforce development plan. The effectiveness of this plan has yet to be evaluated as it has not been implemented.

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This monitoring visit

The other requirements raised at the full inspection remain.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted will continue to monitor this provider. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 4

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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 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;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work effectively as a team, where appropriate, to meet the needs of children;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that the supported accommodation undertaking has sufficient staff to support and accommodate children safely and effectively;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place to manage referrals of children to the supported accommodation undertaking and admissions of children to premises used as supported accommodation, including, where relevant, emergency referrals and admissions;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and development of staff;

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Requirement Due date

ensure that a workforce plan (see regulation 10) for the supported accommodation undertaking is in place. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(d)(f)(g)(j))

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Requirement Due date

This is restated. 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 5 *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

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)(vi)(vii)(viii))

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Requirement Due date

*An organisation may only carry on a supported accommodation undertaking if—

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Requirement Due date

each director of the organisation, except for a director who is the nominated individual, who is involved in the carrying on of the supported accommodation undertaking by that organisation, satisfies the requirements in paragraph (6), and

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Requirement Due date

the organisation has notified the CIECSS of the name and address of the nominated individual.

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character.

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Requirement Due date

be a director of the organisation carrying on the supported accommodation undertaking in respect of which they are the nominated individual;

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Requirement Due date

satisfy the requirements in paragraph (5)(a) to (d).

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 11 (4)(a)(b) (6)(a) (7)(a)(b))

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Requirement Due date

This is restated. 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 6 *The registered provider must carry on the supported accommodation undertaking in a manner which is likely to ensure that it will be financially viable for the purpose of achieving the aims and objectives set out in the statement of purpose.

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Requirement Due date

ensure that adequate financial records are maintained and kept up to date in respect of the supported accommodation undertaking, and

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Requirement Due date

provide a copy of the financial records and most recent accounts to the CIECSS upon request.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide the CIECSS with such information as the CIECSS may reasonably require for the purpose of considering the financial viability of the supported accommodation undertaking, including—

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Requirement Due date

the annual accounts of the supported accommodation undertaking certified by an accountant;

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Requirement Due date

information as to the financing and financial resources of the supported accommodation undertaking and the registered provider. (Regulation 35 (1) (2)(a)(b) (3)(a)(b)) 12 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if—

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Requirement Due date

a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

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Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

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Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

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Requirement Due date

is instigated, or 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 7 concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a notification made under this regulation—

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Requirement Due date

any other individuals or organisations who or which have been notified;

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Requirement Due date

any actions taken by the registered person as a result of the matter;

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Requirement Due date

is made or confirmed in writing. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(f) (4)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(b))

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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 the skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation or any other harm, and act to reduce such risk; 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 8 work collaboratively with children to help them understand how to keep safe, by offering guidance and support on how to minimise any potential risk of harm. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(f)(ii)(iii))

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Requirement Due date

“the 2022 Regulations” means the Care Standards Act 2000 (Extension of the Application of Part 2 to Supported Accommodation) (England) Regulations 2022(1);

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Requirement Due date

“category of supported accommodation” means one of the following types of supported accommodation—

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Requirement Due date

supported accommodation in a self-contained unit, where the accommodation is for the sole use of the child or for the child and other individuals living with the child as agreed by the accommodating authority or the supported accommodation undertaking;

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Requirement Due date

supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises used to accommodate only looked after children or care leavers;

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Requirement Due date

supported accommodation in a shared or group living situation in premises which are not limited to accommodating looked after children or care leavers;

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Requirement Due date

supported accommodation provided by an individual or individuals in a private residence which is the main residence of that individual or those individuals. (Regulation 2 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that only children who fall in the correct category of registration are supported in the service.

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Requirement Due date

The support standard is that children receive individual and tailored support that meets their needs.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to— 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 9 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

ensure a plan for support is in place to support the child to develop the resilience and skills required to transition out of supported accommodation when the child is ready to live more independently. (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(b)(k))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must compile a statement (“the statement of purpose”) which covers the following matters in respect of the supported accommodation undertaking—

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Requirement Due date

the category or categories of supported accommodation it offers;

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Requirement Due date

the characteristics of the children for whom it is intended the supported accommodation undertaking will provide accommodation and support, including the age range, number and sex of the children;

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Requirement Due date

the organisational structure, including management structure and staffing arrangements. (Regulation 9 (1)(b)(d)(h))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case records”) in relation to each child accommodated by the supported accommodation undertaking which—

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Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 2,

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Requirement Due date

are kept up to date. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)) 12 July 2026

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Requirement Due date

If premises are no longer used, or intended to be available for use, as supported accommodation by the supported accommodation undertaking, the registered person must give 12 July 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 1 notice in writing to the CIECSS no later than 10 working days after the registered person becomes aware of the decision to cease use of the premises. (Regulation 34 (2))

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Information about this inspection

The purpose of this visit was to follow up information received by Ofsted and/or to ensure that the supported accommodation provider was complying with regulation.

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Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 1

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Harvest Care Group Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 78 Queens Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 2LA

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Inspectors

Daniela Ferrario, Social Care Inspector Ann Adesoye, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 1 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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