ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE)

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 1 ISW CSC LIMITED (ISW CARE) Registered provider: ISW CSC LIMITED

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider. The provider can accommodate up to 38 individuals in 7 shared or group-living homes that are limited to accommodating looked-after children and care leavers and 61 individuals in a self-contained unit, where the accommodation is for the sole use of one person.

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provider

The provider operates in the north-west of England. At the time of the inspection, 25 individuals, who were looked-after children or care leavers aged 16 or 17 years, were being accommodated.

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provider

The registered service manager has been in post since 23 March 2024. They also hold other responsibilities, which include the nominated individual and director.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 6 July 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site 8 and 9 July 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 feel safe in their home and have exceptional relationships with the staff who support them. They make progress and are well prepared for their transition to independent living. Staff ensure that they always consult with children about their support needs.

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Summary of findings

Staff are considerate of children's cultural needs and make sure that children feel supported in their local area and can access services. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 2 Children access education, employment or training, which gives them a sense of belonging and prepares them for their futures.

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Summary of findings

The quality of accommodation provided for children is exceptionally high. Children appreciate this and take care of their surroundings, which means that they feel safe in their environment.

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Summary of findings

The manager has good oversight of the service and knows the children well. He is aspirational for children. They have high standards, which are reflected in the support that children receive. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children said that they feel supported by staff and members of staff spend time with them. One child said, 'Since I moved in [name of provider] to my placement my confidence and independence skill has improved greatly with the support and guidance of my key worker. I have had a very positive experience living in here.' Children can speak openly to staff and share any worries. Staff know children exceptionally well and want the best outcomes for them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children make special memories. Staff take children on trips throughout the year, including visits to London and theme parks. The provider runs weekly football sessions, which children enjoy, and supports them to meet their peers in an enjoyable setting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children who are separated from their families and country of origin feel understood by staff. Staff are sensitive to their cultural, individual needs. Staff are proactive in using different forms of communication with children and continue to explore different methods. Accommodation is located in areas that meet children's cultural needs and help them to easily access education provision. One social worker said, 'Staff offer a consistently high level of support when the young person first arrives, helping them to become accustomed with life in the UK as well as ensuring their religious and cultural needs are met.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children register with health services and staff support them to attend appointments. Children also register with universal services as soon they move into their homes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leadership and management strive to work hard with the multi-agency team that support children. They communicate well with external services, which means that information is shared with workers who are involved in children's care. The feedback from different agencies has been unanimous in relation to the support that staff provide to the children and the impact this has had on their lives. One social worker said, 'Communication from the provider has been of a high standard, with regular updates provided and a collaborative approach taken in multi-agency working and care planning.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to connect with people who are important to them. Children have access to mobile technology and the internet. Staff provide children with a smart phone if they do not have one when they move into their accommodation. They encourage children to have friendship groups and a good social life. However, children living in shared accommodation are unable to have visits from family and friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to develop life skills in line with their individual needs so they are fully prepared for adulthood. Children have detailed support plans and risk assessments in which they contribute towards their plans, and their views are Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 4 included throughout. Staff complete regular key-work sessions with children, which cover a variety of topics linked to their preparation for independence or any emerging risks.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers collaborate with children's placing local authority when their placement ends due to their increasing vulnerability. They work with partner agencies to find an alternative placement that is suitable. Staff also help children to move back to live with their family as part of a carefully planned transition.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and manager ensure that children can live alongside each other safely. They complete detailed assessments prior to children moving in, which addresses the risks and the positives of them living together safely.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff manage safeguarding incidents well. When children are missing from home, staff follow their policy and inform the relevant agencies. Independent return interviews are offered to children on their return home. Leaders and managers have good oversight of any incidents. Following any safeguarding incidents, staff update risk assessments, complete debriefs with children and conduct key-work sessions.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers do not consistently report serious incidents to Ofsted within the required timescales. This means that the regulator has no initial oversight of what action staff take to support children's welfare.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff support children to manage their behaviour and feelings. Staff are trained to identify and understand triggers that may escalate children's emotions. They are proactive when children who move to the UK are struggling with their emotional wellbeing and will support them to access their GP and specialist services. Leaders and managers provide staff with articles, policies and guidance that is relevant to their roles. Staff spoke highly of the training they receive and the impact this has on their day-to-day practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have excellent oversight of the accommodation, the children and the staff team. They have a good understanding of risks and issues for children. Staff and external services speak highly of senior managers.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers are invested in their staff team and encourage them to develop within the service. Following their probationary period, managers enrol staff on childcare qualifications. More-experienced staff are supported in progressing within the service. This means that staff feel valued. It also helps staff to provide consistent support for the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers provide staff with regular supervision, which gives them the opportunity to discuss their wellbeing, development and progress within the service. One member of staff said, 'It's a platform to air my views and say my concerns.' Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 5 This enables staff to have a safe space and discuss any issues or concerns relating to their role.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers conduct regular, detailed audits that monitor the quality of support provided and progress of children. This enables senior managers to have good oversight of the service and address any shortfalls in practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered person holds multiple roles within the service. They have regular consultations with named directors to reflect on practice and discuss any issues with the service; however, these are not formally recorded. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 6

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that they submit serious notifiable events to Ofsted within timescales. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 61)  The registered person should ensure that family and friends can visit children in their shared accommodation. They should ensure that appropriate safeguarding risks are assessed prior to them visiting. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 23)  The registered person should ensure that there is a clear record of their supervision. ('Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards', page 51)

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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: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 7

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Shameem Haque

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Inspectors

Helen Fee, Social Care Inspector Sue Garner, Social Care Inspector Jon Dutton, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: ISW CSC LTD (ISW CARE) 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 children looked after, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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