Harvest Care Group

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 1 Harvest Care Group 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 accommodation for up to 28 children across 6 premises.

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provider

At the time of this visit, 6 children aged 16 and 17 were living in 3 of the shared ring-fenced premises. 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. An acting service manager has been in post since May 2026.

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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; however, they withdrew their application on 8 June 2026. The acting service manager is also the new proposed nominated individual.

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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 the leadership and management arrangements, the accommodation standard, and notifications of significant safeguarding incidents.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted carried out 2 monitoring visits on 20 April 2026 and 8 June 2026. Shortfalls remained with the leadership and management arrangements and the accommodation standard. Compliance notices relating to these areas were reissued. Due to significant regulatory failings, Ofsted issued a notice restricting accommodation on 23 April 2026, which remains in place. This prevents the provider from accepting any new children into the service. Additional shortfalls were identified Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 2 regarding the fitness of the registered provider, the appointment of a manager and the service’s financial viability. Compliance notices were issued to address these areas.

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This monitoring visit

The purpose of this third monitoring visit was to review the progress made towards meeting the steps outlined in the compliance notices and to review the notice restricting accommodation.

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This monitoring visit

A service manager has been appointed. At the point of this visit, their application to register with Ofsted was incomplete. The same individual is now the proposed nominated individual. They submitted their application for this role on the day of the visit. Ofsted has yet to assess the individual’s capacity and suitability for the proposed roles.

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This monitoring visit

The leadership and management arrangements remain ineffective. The service manager, who was unavailable for a significant part of the visit and did not have access to the necessary equipment to retrieve the information required, was unable to demonstrate effective oversight of the service. Due to these shortfalls, the procedures for the safe admission of children have yet to be improved, and support for some children remains ineffective in addressing their needs and vulnerabilities. Some children who are at risk of exploitation continue to go missing, and staff have not been able to consistently mitigate known risks for the most recently admitted child.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted cannot be assured that the service remains financially viable and that homes and support can be sustained and maintained to provide future stability for children. The provider failed to share all the documents that were requested in the previous compliance notice. Some documents were not provided, and some documents were incomplete.

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This monitoring visit

The service continues to lack direction and leadership. While the proposed service manager/nominated individual has been with the company for some time now, they are still in the initial stages of becoming familiar with the service. They have yet to demonstrate any measurable positive change for children in this service.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has failed to ensure that all managers and staff receive induction, support, training, supervision and appraisals as outlined in the statement of purpose and workforce development plan. Senior staff have not benefited from an induction into the service, and only one home manager has received a supervision session since the last monitoring visit. Some staff members have not received supervision since September 2025. Furthermore, leaders and managers were unable to demonstrate their understanding of the staff’s skills and knowledge to support children’s known needs effectively.

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This monitoring visit

The sole director, who has remained out of the country, has failed to provide the current proposed nominated individual with crucial information about the business finances and the autonomy to make decisions that are linked to their role. Therefore, Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 3 there is no one with authority to actively oversee and shape improvements effectively for children in this service.

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This monitoring visit

The service lacks effective management systems and does not have a registered service manager. As a result, it continues to operate as a collection of separate entities. Although the managers and staff in the premises try their best to support the children’s needs and maintain their own communication and monitoring systems, there is no coordinated response to collate this information centrally. This prevents leaders and managers from having effective oversight of the whole service.

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This monitoring visit

Staff now have access to the new electronic system. However, leaders and managers have failed to ensure that it is working correctly. The system has not been working for over 2 weeks, preventing staff from making any changes to children’s electronic records. To compensate for this, staff have recorded information elsewhere. As a result, outdated information was presented during this monitoring visit. Furthermore, some children’s plans are disjointed, with information partly recorded across multiple current documents. In addition, some plans do not identify the actions staff need to take to meet all the identified support needs for those children. These shortfalls increase the risk of gaps and delays in the care and support provided to children.

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This monitoring visit

Ofsted is not informed of all significant incidents involving children who use this service. The provider has only submitted one notification to Ofsted during this period. This was of poor quality and missing key information. This hinders Ofsted’s ability to monitor and assess the provider’s response to these children.

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This monitoring visit

Some staff members remain ill-equipped to support children safely. The provider has failed to ensure that all staff receive appropriate training, support and guidance in line with the children’s plans so that they can meet their support needs. Staff do not have the skills and training to meet the identified potential needs for children at the point of admission. This hinders the staff’s ability to identify children’s needs and support them accordingly.

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This monitoring visit

The provider has again failed to review the statement of purpose to ensure that it accurately reflects the service delivery and includes the correct description of the categories of registration.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have yet to implement an effective maintenance system to ensure that all repairs are logged centrally so that they can be followed up and addressed quickly. However, the physical condition of the premises has improved, and the use of CCTV has reduced, providing children with more privacy in their homes.

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This monitoring visit

Leaders and managers have changed the arrangements for the upkeep of the homes. As a result, some children’s homes remain clean and tidy, while others are not maintained to the same standard. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 4 Plans are in place to improve the referral screening process for children to help ensure that children’s welfare can be prioritised. However, the effectiveness of these arrangements cannot yet be tested, as no new children have been accommodated while the notice restricting accommodation remains in place.

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This monitoring visit

The remaining requirements that were raised at the full inspection were not considered during this visit and therefore remain in place.

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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 5

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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 requirement has been restated. 16 August 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)) 16 August 2026

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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)

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Requirement Due date

the individual is of integrity and good character. (Regulation 11 (4)(a) (6)(a)

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 16 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if— 16 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 7 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

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

ensure that children— 16 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 8 are protected from harm;

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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;

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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. (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)) 16 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 9 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—

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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

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

This requirement has been restated. 16 August 2026

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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

This requirement has been restated. 16 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: Harvest Care Group 10 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))

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Requirement Due date

This requirement has been restated. 16 August 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 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

This requirement has been restated. 16 August 2026

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Requirement Due date

*These requirements are subject to a compliance notice.

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Recommendation

 The registered person should ensure that children have access to basic day-to-day essentials and physical necessities, such as clean facilities. Staff should support children to meet their basic needs, recognising that many children in supported accommodation have experienced environments where these needs have not been consistently met. This understanding is an important aspect of demonstrating that the staff are committed to supporting children and valuing them as individuals. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 28)

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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 11

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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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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Application in progress

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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 12 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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