Limetrees Services

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 1 Limetrees Services Registered provider: Limetrees Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

Limetrees Services is owned and managed by a private provider. This service was registered with Ofsted on 9 January 2024. The registered service manager, who is also the nominated individual, was registered at the same time.

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provider

This service provides ring-fenced shared accommodation and can accommodate up to 2 children.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, the service was providing support for 2 children aged 16 or 17 years.

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Inspection dates: 6 to 10 July 2026

The inspection was announced on 6 July 2026 and started on the same day. The inspector was on site from 8 to 10 July 2026.

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Outcome

Serious or widespread weaknesses lead to significant concerns about the experiences and progress of children. Leaders and managers must take urgent action to address failings. The next inspection will be within approximately 6 months.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers do not have oversight of the service. There are no systems in place to ensure health and safety in the home, or to monitor the progress being made by children.

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Summary of findings

Children feel safe where they live and are confident to ask staff for support if they need it. They describe positive relationships with some members of staff.

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Summary of findings

Safer recruitment procedures are not followed, and staff files are incomplete. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 2 Managers and staff have not received training, inductions or supervisions.

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Summary of findings

Children's support plans and risk assessments are not implemented in a timely manner or regularly updated, and do not reflect their needs and known risks.

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Summary of findings

Ofsted is not notified of significant events.

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Summary of findings

The managers are aware of the shortfalls and have made plans to ensure that these are addressed. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

The registered manager's oversight of this service is limited. Written records are poor and children receive inconsistent support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children like the house and where they live and they are encouraged to decorate their rooms to reflect their interests. They describe having positive relationships with staff, and interactions between children and staff are appropriately familiar. However, one child reported that they have not met newer members of staff.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

When children move in with a readiness for independence and self-motivation to engage in support, they make good progress. The manager demonstrated flexibility in their approach to meeting children's individual needs and requests. For example, one child was supported by staff to pass their driving test and now owns a car, and this has shaped their future employment aspirations.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff do not consistently complete support sessions with children. When support sessions take place, the focus is not clear and does not always enhance children's understanding of how to keep safe or develop their independent living skills.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children do not know how to complain. They are not provided a written guide to inform them about the service, staff or support they will receive. This means that they are not clear about their rights and entitlements. There is no reassurance that complaints will be investigated by managers or staff who are not subject to the complaint.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are not in structured employment or education. Staff encourage children to access education or support them to explore alternative options and complete relevant applications.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children feel safe in their home and are confident to approach staff for help when needed. Some children actively seek support from staff who they have strong relationships with.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children's support plans are incomplete and not regularly updated. The registered manager understands the children's needs and can describe the support they provide to some children to develop their independence. However, when the manager is not on shift, other staff do not have clear guidance on how to best work with children to manage their needs or identify risks. Support plans do not capture the voice of the child and lack personalisation.

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How well children are helped and protected

Risks assessments are not implemented in a timely manner and do not provide strategies for staff to follow to help mitigate the risks children face. They do not include the full knowledge that staff have about the children, and this compromises the safety of the children. This inhibits staff's ability to keep the children safe. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 4 Staff do not respond appropriately when a child goes missing from home. The manager has not ensured that staff have a unified approach to manage missing episodes. Records are not updated accurately to reflect when a child returns home, and staff do not display curiosity in exploring underlying reasons for children going missing. Local authorities are not asked to complete return to home interviews.

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How well children are helped and protected

Managers and staff do not always respond to ensure that children are safe when a serious incident occurs. Staff do not consistently record when incidents occur, the actions they have taken or whether relevant partner agencies are notified. The manager did not inform the local authority of escalating risks about one child, who has now left the service. The child was at risk of significant harm in the community.

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How well children are helped and protected

When there have been ongoing, significant criminal exploitation concerns for a child, which require police involvement, Ofsted has not been notified. This hinders the regulator's oversight of the actions taken by the provider to ensure that children are safeguarded effectively.

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How well children are helped and protected

The manager does not follow safer recruitment practice. Some staff have been working in the service with no Disclosure and Barring Service check, and references are not requested or have not been verified. Managers have not verified proof of identity and full employment histories, and employment gaps are not accounted for. Failure to complete essential checks exposes children to a risk of harm from people who may not be suitable to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager and nominated individual are the same person. They are actively involved in the running of the service, including regular shift and overnight work. The registered manager knows the children well. One member of staff spoke positively about the team and described staff as being committed and genuinely caring about the children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered manager does not have a sufficient overview of the service and has not ensured that staff and children are adequately supported. The manager does not have systems to monitor or review the children's progress or service delivery. The manager has not consistently provided Ofsted with the required quality assurance reviews and does not have a suitable workforce development plan.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Social workers describe positive communication with staff. One social worker praised the relational work completed by the manager, which contributed to a child passing their driving test.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager has not ensured that children who come to live in the service are suitable for supported accommodation. The referral process does not suitably consider the needs and risks of the children or the impact that these could have on children already in the service. This leads to children with different support needs living in the same house, which can result in conflict. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 5 The registered service manager has not received supervision since the service was registered, limiting opportunities for objective challenge to help enhance the quality of the service performance.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The manager does not have oversight in maintaining the health and safety of the home. For example, there is no suitable fire risk assessment, and the electrical safety certificates have expired. This could place the physical safety and wellbeing of children and staff at risk.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff do not receive supervision or appraisals. This hinders practice reflection and the manager's ability to gather an accurate understanding of staff performance. Staff have not received any formal training and have not been equipped with the skills they need to meet the specific needs of the children or manage their risks.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Newly recruited members of staff have not undergone a formal interview process. They are not provided with a sufficient induction of the running of the service or given a sufficient understanding of the needs of the children they are required to support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager recognises there are inconsistencies in children's records. The manager is aware of the shortfalls and is taking action to address the issues identified during this inspection. They say that they are committed to making the required changes. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 6

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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 have the experience, qualifications and skills appropriate for the work that they are to perform;

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Requirement Due date

implement recruitment practices that ensure staff are suitable to work with children and to keep them safe from harm;

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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)(c)(e)(f)(g)(j))

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure: 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 7 That the service operates in line with the statement of purpose and delivers support to children, in accordance with The Supported Accommodation Regulations.

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Requirement Due date

A system is implemented that enables management oversight to effectively monitor the quality of practice. Receipt of children's full information from local authorities and staff records are clear to include the support being provided and progress being made.

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Requirement Due date

Staff have the relevant training and skills to support and advocate for the children.

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Requirement Due date

Full compliance is given to staff recruitment processes and staff files contain all required recruitment documentation, including valid DBS checks and verifications.

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Requirement Due date

A process to review the referrals and admission process is in place to consider staff's ability to meet those needs in accordance with The Supported Accommodation regulations 2023.

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Requirement Due date

Staff are provided regular supervision, and staff performance is reviewed through appraisals.

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Requirement Due date

A workforce plan is in place and reviewed to ensure sufficient oversight into the service performance and areas of development.

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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—

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Requirement Due date

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

keep the child's support under review, taking into consideration the plans for support, and relevant plans, to 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 8 ensure that the child's needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe;

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Requirement Due date

engage and work with the accommodating authority if the registered person has concerns or if the child's support needs to be changed, including where that change may mean that the child requires more intensive support;

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Requirement Due date

before a child arrives or upon a child's arrival, ensure that the child is given a written guide, in an accessible format, containing information about—

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Requirement Due date

the support and accommodation provided by the supported accommodation undertaking;

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Requirement Due date

how to make a complaint or representation in relation to the support and accommodation provided and how any such complaint or representation will be dealt with

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Requirement Due date

what services and facilities are available that take account of children's needs arising as a result of cultural differences or disability;

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Requirement Due date

what advocacy support or services are available, how the child may access that support or those services, and any entitlement the child may have to independent advocacy; (Regulation 7 (1) (2)(a)(b)(c)(f)(j)(i)(ii)(iv))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered provider must ensure that:

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Requirement Due date

Children are supported to access, contribute to and review their own support plans and that this is kept up to date and reflect known and emerging support needs.

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Requirement Due date

Support plans are created in conjunction with documentation from the placing local authority and ensure that staff have access to such information.

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Requirement Due date

All children are provided a written young person's guide prior to arrival, which includes information regarding their rights and entitlements, how to complain and details of the independent person responsible for managing complaints made against the registered manager.

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Requirement Due date

*The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if— 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 9 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

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

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Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f))

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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 requires the registered person to—

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Requirement Due date

are familiar and act in accordance with child protection policies;

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Requirement Due date

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;

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Requirement Due date

work collaboratively with other professionals and agencies, and share information where relevant to keep children safe;

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Requirement Due date

support children to maintain appropriate and safe relationships with family, friends and other people who are important to them. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(f)(i)(iii)(iv)(v))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must: 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 10 Ensure that staff understand and review the services' safeguarding policies and expected response to safeguarding matters.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure a thorough risk assessment is completed, regularly updated and considers the known and emerging risks to children.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that children receive targeted support from staff, which aids their awareness and mitigation strategies to risk of harm and informs their risk assessments.

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Requirement Due date

Ensure that staff have a sound knowledge and information of professional, familial and the important relationships that children have, to aid communication of risk and management of possible harm.

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Requirement Due date

An individual may only carry on a supported accommodation undertaking if the individual satisfies the requirements in paragraph (5).

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Requirement Due date

undertake, from time to time, such training as is appropriate to ensure that they have the experience and skills necessary to represent the supported accommodation undertaking in its dealings with the CIECSS. (Regulation (11)(d))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must complete ongoing and relevant training and engage in developmental opportunities. 25 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

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

comply with all relevant statutory provisions dealing with health and safety or fire safety matters. (Regulation (6)(1) (2)(b)(vi)(x)) 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 11 In particular, the registered person must ensure that appropriate fire and electrical safety assessments are completed within statutory time frames and complete the actions required to ensure a safe home environment for children.

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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 signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c)) 25 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for monitoring and improving the quality of support provided by the supported accommodation undertaking by completing a review (“a quality of support review”) at least once every six months, which must take into account—

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Requirement Due date

the views of children, including any feedback and complaints received;

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Requirement Due date

feedback from individual children on the impact the supported accommodation has had on the child's life, especially regarding how well prepared the child felt for transition into supported accommodation and how well prepared the child feels for transition out of supported accommodation;

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Requirement Due date

feedback from each child's accommodating authority, staff and any relevant persons;

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Requirement Due date

any relevant research and developments in relation to the way in which the needs of children are best met.

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Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of support review, the registered person must produce a written report setting out the actions the registered person intends to take as a result of that quality of support review.

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide a copy of the review report to the CIECSS within 28 days beginning with the day on which the report is completed and make a copy of it available on request to each child's accommodating authority. 25 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 12 (Regulation 32 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d) (2) (3))

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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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: Limetrees Services 13

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Limetrees Services Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: James Wilmot

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Inspector

Rachel McIntyre, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Limetrees Services 14 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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