Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 1 Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd Registered provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This service is owned and managed by a private provider. The provider can accommodate up to 13 children living in 3 shared or group-living homes that are not limited to accommodating looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, the service was providing support for 4 children aged 16 and 17.

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provider

The registered service manager registered with Ofsted in August 2025.

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provider

The nominated individual and director are registered with Ofsted.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 06 July 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site from 8 to 9 July 2026

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Outcome

Inconsistent quality of service delivery adversely affects some children’s experiences, and this may limit their progress. Leaders and managers must make improvements.

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Summary of findings

Children are happy living in their homes and speak positively about the staff who support them.

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Summary of findings

Although some children are achieving positive outcomes, there are gaps in safeguarding practice that could put children at risk. Particularly around the management of allegations and the management of risk. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 2 Some of the homes are not homely or well maintained for children, this has been raised at a previous inspection.

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Summary of findings

There are weaknesses in reporting incidents to Ofsted, quality-assurance systems and recording of incidents. Leaders and managers are aware of the work needed to improve systems underpinning the service and have taken immediate action to address the shortfalls Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 3

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children make good progress from their starting points. Staff develop positive and meaningful relationships with children, which help them to engage with the support that is offered. While children make progress in developing their independence skills, not all children can achieve full independence by the end of their stay.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children say that they feel safe and supported. This helps them to build confidence and develop the practical and emotional skills needed for their future. Staff have a good understanding of children’s individual circumstances, when they move into the service. Staff take time to build trusting relationships at a pace that is appropriate to each child. This child-centred approach helps children to feel comfortable and secure, creating an environment where they can accept guidance and support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are happy living in their homes and speak positively about the staff who support them. Children told inspectors that they trust staff and felt welcomed when they moved in. Staff provide children with consistent support, helping them to settle and develop a sense of belonging. Children are supported to maintain positive relationships with family members and friends, when this is appropriate for them. Staff recognise the importance of these relationships and help children to sustain meaningful connections with people, who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children receive good support to maintain their physical and emotional health. Staff understand children’s health needs and ensure that appropriate plans are in place to meet them. Children are supported to access local health services, including primary healthcare and dental services, and staff help them to manage any long-term health conditions effectively.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Most children are engaged in education, employment or training. Where children are not currently participating in these opportunities, staff work with them to explore their interests and aspirations. This helps children to make informed decisions about future education, training and employment pathways.

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How well children are helped and protected

The management of allegations is not consistently effective. In one case, an allegation was not referred to the local authority designated officer in line with safeguarding procedures. This resulted in a lack of external oversight and limited scrutiny of the investigation process. However, other allegations have been responded to appropriately and managed in accordance with the provider’s safeguarding policy and relevant guidance.

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How well children are helped and protected

Risk management arrangements are not always effective. For some children, identified risks are not consistently understood or managed by staff. As a result, opportunities to reduce risk are sometimes missed, and staff are not always clear Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 4 about the actions they need to take to safeguard children. This has the potential to compromise children’s safety and wellbeing.

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How well children are helped and protected

Recruitment practice is safe and effective. Leaders and managers follow robust recruitment procedures to ensure that all necessary checks are completed before staff begin work. This helps to ensure that only suitably vetted individuals are employed.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff manage challenging situations effectively, including supporting positive relationships between children. When children present behaviours that challenge, staff respond with clear and consistent boundaries that help children to understand expectations and feel safe. Staff promote positive behaviour support and use effective de-escalation strategies to respond to children’s individual needs. As a result, incidents have reduced, and children benefit from a calmer and more stable living environment.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have not made sufficient progress in addressing all previously identified shortfalls. Two requirements raised at the previous inspection remain unmet. Insufficient action has been taken to ensure that all properties provide children with a consistently homely and welcoming environment. This means the quality of some accommodation does not fully meet the standards for children living in supported accommodation.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers do not consistently meet their responsibilities for notifying Ofsted of significant events. Some incidents that meet the threshold for notification have not been shared with the regulator. This limits external scrutiny and oversight of safeguarding practice.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Communication between senior leaders is not always effective. As a result, information provided to Ofsted has not always been accurate or sufficiently clear. This has affected the provider’s ability to demonstrate effective monitoring and oversight of the service.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There has been a high turnover in staffing following the provider losing its licence to sponsor staff. Monitoring and support of newly appointed staff is not sufficiently robust. Some staff have not received supervision within expected timescales, and training to meet the specific needs of children, including child criminal exploitation and trauma-informed practice, has not been completed. This limits staff’s ability to provide consistently informed and effective support.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff report that they feel well supported by managers. There is strong teamwork and a shared commitment to promoting positive outcomes for children. Staff understand their roles and responsibilities and are clear about what is expected of them. Staff said that managers are approachable and available to provide guidance Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 5 and support when needed. This contributes to a positive working culture, where staff work collaboratively to meet children’s needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Feedback from professionals is consistently positive and reflects the progress that children are making. Professionals speak positively about the support provided to children. They report improvements in children’s wellbeing and praise staff for their effective communication, collaborative working and child-focused advocacy. These comments demonstrate the positive relationships staff have established with partner agencies and their commitment to advocating for children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 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

ensure that arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and development of staff. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(a)(c)(g))

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Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that internal monitoring systems support managers to evaluate and continually develop the service.

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Requirement Due date

In particular, ensure that arrangements are in place for the supervision, training and development of staff. 21 August 2026

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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 plans for support are based on initial referral information, are meaningful and are created in full 21 August 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 7 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 ensure that the child’s needs continue to be met and that the child is kept safe;

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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)(b)(c)(k)) 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 the effectiveness of child protection policies is kept under review and ensure that, where appropriate, those policies are revised;

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Requirement Due date

comply with requests from a local authority to provide it with information relating to a child for which it is the accommodating authority

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Requirement Due date

(Regulation 5 (1) (2)(c)(d)) 21 August 2026

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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

(Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)) 21 August 2026

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Recommendations

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 8  The registered person should ensure that the supported accommodation is a homely and welcoming environment and that systems are in place to ensure children are helped to maintain a clean, tidy and well-organised living space. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’, page 29)

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Recommendations

 The registered person should have systems in place so that all staff, including the registered service manager, receive supervision of their practice from a suitably skilled and experienced professional, which allows them to reflect on their practice and the needs of the children accommodated in the setting. (‘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.

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Information about this inspection

The inspection was announced on 6 July 2026 and the inspectors were on site from 8 July 2026 to 10 July 2026. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 9

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd

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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Nadia Britton-Finnie

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Jermaine Peter

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: office@cedarhopecare.co.uk

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Inspectors

Stephen Challis, Social Care Inspector Glen Strowbridge, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Cedar Hope Care Services Ltd 10 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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Inspectors

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