Independence Way Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 1 Independence Way Ltd Registered provider: Independence Way Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

A private provider owns and operates this supported accommodation service.

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provider

The service registered with Ofsted on 8 July 2024. This is their first inspection. The registered service manager and the nominated individual have been with the service since registration. The registered service manager facilitated the inspection.

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provider

The service can offer accommodation for up to 38 children across 8 homes and offers supported accommodation in shared premises limited to looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 7 children aged 16 and 17 years were living across 4 of the provider's ring-fenced, shared supported accommodation. One child moved out during the inspection.

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Inspection dates: 27 to 30 July 2026

The inspection was announced on 27 July 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 29 to 30 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 are comfortable where they live and develop positive relationships with staff and other children and young people, which help them to feel at home. They feel valued and part of a community. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 2 Staff support children to make progress. Children's views help to shape the service and their support plans. Staff help children to explore safe options to plan their future.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers proactively review the effectiveness of the service and the plans for children. Managers and staff work in partnership with authorities and local organisations to create opportunities for the children.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children say that they feel like part of a family, valued and happy where they live. One child commented on how their peers and staff encouraged them to learn to play a musical instrument. One child said that they are the happiest they have ever been since moving in with the provider.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children spoke positively about staff. A consistent workforce means that children know what and who to expect in their home. Staff show the children genuine interest and develop trusting relationships with them. Children cook, play games and sing together, building a sense of belonging and overcoming social isolation.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are listened to. Staff respond quickly to any feedback or request from the children, such as specific cooking tools or home sport equipment. Steps are taken to address issues, such as low Wi-Fi connectivity in one of the homes.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children to settle in their homes. Staff quickly build relationships with children who move in at short notice and have little preparation for their moves. One child who recently moved in had the option of choosing which home they wanted to live in.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children to find sustainable choices for learning or employment, according to the children's interests and strengths. Some children are in full-time education, and some are in paid employment. There are support plans in place for children who are new to the service or considering apprenticeships or alternative options to college.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children whose first language is not English learn to communicate and integrate in society. Staff value diversity and are mindful of children's cultural and religious needs. Children live with children and young people with similar experiences and are supportive of one another. Children make progress in forming friendships and achieving their goals.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to make links with local organisations and charities who can provide additional support and opportunities, such as summer camps, trips to London and cultural activities. Children learn new skills, learn to travel safely, socialise and attend vocational courses to build their CVs. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 3

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How well children are helped and protected

Children learn how to keep themselves safe and recognise risks that they may face while in the community. Staff talk to children about their support needs to increase their awareness and risk management skills. This support is seen to be of great value by one child who was at risk of criminal exploitation.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff help the children to progress towards independence and learn about budgeting, cooking and cleaning. Children learn how to shop wisely, so their allowance lasts longer. Children emphasise how proud they are of their home because of how they have learned to keep the home clean and tidy.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff know the children well. Staff recognise when children are anxious or behave differently and are curious to know what is going on for them. This helps children to share their feelings and troubles with staff, building trusted relationships.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers maintain close links with the local organisations and the police. Close coordination with other agencies, such as charities and youth offending service, enables children to receive targeted and well-planned support through effective risk management strategies.

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How well children are helped and protected

Some children were discriminated and targeted in one of the areas covered by the provider. Leaders and managers liaised with the authorities and took proactive action, advocating for the children's rights. Further training and preventative measures were put in place, which reduced the reoccurrence of these risks. Children and young people affected received good support from staff.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers escalate to the child's local authority when they identify that independence plans are not progressing well. This ensures that children's risks and level of need are understood. When this extends beyond the scope of the provision, informed decisions are made and children are well prepared to move to their new accommodation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have effective oversight of the service. The registered service manager uses monthly risk review meetings to evaluate support plans and risk fluctuation. When needed, they convene placement review meetings with the relevant local authorities.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager is creative and strives to make information for children accessible and functional. This includes welcoming videos for children to explain house rules alongside written material. There are regular updates to training courses for staff and children, so they maintain a strong understanding of online safety. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 4 Staff value the strong and visible support that senior staff and managers provide. They work cohesively as teams. Staff engage in effective individual and group supervision sessions and appraisals.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers fully consider each child's individual needs at the point a referral is made. They spend time thinking about which home is best, the staff's experience and how they will safely live with other children and young people. Leaders and managers make joint decisions and children receive stability in their placements.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The registered service manager takes steps to adjust to dealing with situations that may be new to them, such as welcoming children with involvement in the criminal system. They ensure that they have a good relationship with the multi-agency network to triangulate risks and solutions. The service is changing to ensure that there is enough staff to deal with new challenges that they may face.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers take prompt action when issues arise. However, they did not notify Ofsted of some serious events, limiting the monitoring role of the regulator. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 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 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

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; 28 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 6 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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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: Independence Way Ltd 7

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Independence Way Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 5 Elder Close, Sidcup DA15 8HQ

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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Reuben Izekor-Omoregie

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Gabriela Stachova

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: info@independenceway.co.uk

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Inspector

Daniela Ferrario, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Independence Way Ltd 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 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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