YMCA Trinity Group West

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 1 YMCA Trinity Group West Registered provider: YMCA Trinity Group

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This service is operated by a private provider in the East of England. The service can accommodate up to 6 children in self-contained units.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, although all the looked-after children remained in provision, none were aged between 16 and 17 years old.

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provider

The service registered in March 2025. The registered manager also registered with Ofsted in March 2025.

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Inspection dates: 24 to 26 June 2026

The inspection was announced on 22 June 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 24 to 26 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.

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Outcome

The next inspection will be within approximately 3 years. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 2

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Summary of findings

There were no looked-after children under 18 years old in the provision at the time of the inspection. However, the inspection considered the children who have lived there since the provider was registered. All children who were previously looked after have remained living in the provision as care leavers. This provides some indication of children experiencing stability and continuity of relationships.

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Summary of findings

Young people shared positive feedback, both verbally and in writing. This is further supported by all care leavers choosing to remain with the provider.

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Summary of findings

The accommodation has improved since registration. Developments include a community hub, which provides opportunities for children to engage in a range of leisure activities, particularly those linked to digital and music skills. A garden project also enables children to contribute to and develop the outdoor space at the Cambridge accommodation.

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Summary of findings

Previous concerns relating to staffing have been addressed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children benefit from well-planned moves into the service. They visit before moving in, and informal planning meetings are held. Managers communicate effectively with placing authorities and seek relevant information to support safe admission decisions.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff ensure that children understand their rights and entitlements from the outset. Children report that staff advocate for them and help them understand how being looked after may affect their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Support is flexible and responsive to children’s changing needs. They are involved in developing their support plans and regularly meet with staff to review their progress and needs. These reviews identify strengths as well as areas requiring further support. Risk assessments are clearly linked to plans, with identified risks understood and agreed with each child.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Plans and assessments inform targeted and meaningful direct work. This provides children with opportunities to reflect on their experiences and understand the impact these have had on their lives.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are supported to engage in education, training or employment. The provider works in partnership with an award scheme, enabling children to achieve accredited outcomes across a range of vocational, practical and academic areas. This includes the recognition of independence skills alongside leisure and educational achievements. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 3 Planning for children’s next steps is less consistent. Pathway plans are not routinely in place, and the role of the placing authority is not always well defined for care leavers. However, as children remain living in the provision, this has reduced the immediate impact of this shortfall.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers respond appropriately when concerns are raised about staff conduct. Relevant professionals are informed promptly, and both safeguarding and employment procedures are followed to protect children and young people.

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How well children are helped and protected

Managers have strengthened their oversight of recruitment processes. In partnership with their human resources team, they ensure that staff are recruited in line with safer recruitment requirements. New staff complete mandatory training and demonstrate an understanding of safeguarding responsibilities before working unsupervised with children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Safety and security in the service have been reviewed and improved. Looked-after children live in an area close to the office, which has controlled access to support their safety. Visitor access is monitored effectively, and staff are aware of potential risks, including concerns about unsuitable individuals attempting to access the home.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children benefit from targeted, reflective support that helps them to understand risks and the reasons for decisions made to keep them safe. Direct work also considers the need for specialist intervention, particularly in relation to emotional and mental health. When required, children can access in-house mental health support and clinical services.

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How well children are helped and protected

The accommodation is maintained to a good standard. Management oversight of maintenance has improved since registration, supported by clearer systems and better communication between managers and the maintenance team. Staff understand their responsibilities during each shift, and managers routinely audit the environment to ensure it meets required quality standards.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have been in post since registration over a year ago. Organisational developments have resulted in the current service manager taking on additional responsibilities. To maintain effective oversight of the supported accommodation service, an additional manager has been recruited.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

When concerns are raised, managers respond promptly and take appropriate action. This includes initiating internal investigations where necessary. Decision-making is responsive and adapts to emerging information to ensure that risks are managed effectively and children’s safety remains the priority. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 4 Leaders and managers provide effective professional challenge. They take decisive action when they identify that placing authorities are not acting in children’s best interests, when statutory responsibilities are not being met or when risks cannot be safely managed. The provider has escalated concerns to local authorities on several occasions.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The provider operates in line with its statement of purpose. Leaders challenge inappropriate or emergency placement requests that fall outside the scope of supported accommodation. This ensures that admissions remain consistent with the service’s aims and objectives. Practice across the provision reflects the provider’s stated values and expectations.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers monitor the quality of support effectively. Statutory notifications and reviews are submitted to Ofsted in line with regulatory requirements. In addition, the provider undertakes an annual internal review to evaluate practice and ensure ongoing compliance with organisational standards and relevant legislation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Supervision is regular and provides staff with meaningful opportunities to reflect on children’s experiences and the quality of care provided. Fortnightly group supervision further supports staff to share learning, reflect on practice and provide peer support in a structured forum. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 5

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Recommendation

 The registered provider should ensure that children have a clear understanding of the leaving care process, including their entitlement to a personal adviser and the requirement for the local authority to develop a written pathway plan. Children should be supported to understand the legal duty on the local authority to appoint a personal adviser who will continue to support them once they cease to be looked after, and to develop a meaningful awareness of the adviser’s role in helping them prepare for adulthood. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 42)

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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: YMCA Trinity Group West 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Queen Anne House, Gonville Place, Cambridge CB1 1ND

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Robert Durrant-Cuffe

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Inspector

Eileen Bultitude, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: YMCA Trinity Group West 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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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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