Sanctuary Supported Living

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 1 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Sanctuary Supported Living Registered provider: Sanctuary Housing Association

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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 charity. It provides accommodation for up to 58 young people in self-contained units designated for individual use, as well as in shared or group living situations in premises that are solely used to accommodate looked-after young people or care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, the service was providing supported accommodation for 38 looked-after young people and care leavers aged 16 and 17 years.

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provider

The provider registered with Ofsted in March 2025.

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provider

The registered service manager registered with Ofsted in March 2025. The service was inspected in August 2025, where compliance notices were issued to the provider. Ofsted completed a full inspection in October 2025 where the compliance notices were found to have been met, and the outcome of the inspection was that there was an inconsistent quality of service.

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provider

Inspection dates: The inspection was announced on 3 August 2026 and started that day. The inspectors were on site from 5 to 6 August 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.

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Summary of findings

Young people are positive about their lives and the support they receive. Young people are supported to engage in education and employment and to take ownership of their health.

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Summary of findings

Young people live in houses that are clean, well maintained and feel like homes. Young people said that they feel safe and can speak to trusted adults. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 2 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Summary of findings

Leaders and managers have responded to concerns proactively. Improvements in the service that young people receive have been made with the input of young people and staff. They are now receiving a consistently strong level of support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Young people have developed positive and trusting relationships with staff. They consistently describe staff as caring, supportive and approachable. One young person said, 'It feels more like family than staff because they care about who is living here, not why we are here.'

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Young people live in accommodation that is safe, comfortable and well maintained. The properties are presented to a good standard and provide a welcoming environment where young people feel at home. Young people are consulted about their living environment and are encouraged to contribute to decisions about decoration and improvements to their accommodation. Managers ensure that accommodation is not occupied until all required maintenance, repair and health and safety work has been completed, ensuring that young people move into accommodation that is suitable and ready for use.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Young people are supported to access a range of health services, including dental care and other specialist support when needed. Staff promote the young people's understanding of their health needs and encourage them to take increasing responsibility for managing their own health and wellbeing. This helps them to develop the skills and confidence needed to become more independent.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Young people receive individualised support that reflects their circumstances, strengths and future aspirations. Support is responsive and focused on helping young people make progress towards their identified goals and develop the practical and emotional skills required for adulthood. Young people say that they are happy with the support they receive and feel able to approach staff for advice, guidance and assistance whenever they need it.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff demonstrate a strong commitment to understanding and meeting the cultural, linguistic and communication needs of young people whose first language is not English. Effective use of interpreters, translation technology and translated documents ensures that young people can fully understand the support available to them, participate in decision-making and express their views, wishes and feelings.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff go the extra mile to help young people feel welcomed, respected and valued. They make thoughtful efforts to source familiar foods and ingredients that reflect young people's cultural backgrounds, helping them to maintain important links with their heritage and identity. Staff actively encourage young people to celebrate and embrace their culture, recognising the important role that identity, belonging and cultural awareness play in promoting emotional wellbeing and self-confidence. As a result, young people experience an inclusive and nurturing service where diversity is celebrated and individual needs are recognised. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 3 OFSTED USE ONLY

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How well children are helped and protected

Young people have access to a range of trusted adults and know who they can speak to if they have concerns. They say that staff listen to them, take their views seriously and respond appropriately when worries are raised. Young people feel well supported and reassured that action will be taken when needed to promote their safety and wellbeing.

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How well children are helped and protected

Young people say that they feel safe and secure in their accommodation. Staff work effectively to identify, manage and reduce risks, helping young people to feel settled and protected from harm. There is a strong safeguarding culture across the service, with staff recognising their shared responsibility to promote young people's welfare and reduce the likelihood of harm. As a result, young people benefit from consistent support and clear boundaries that contribute to their safety and stability.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers have established effective safeguarding arrangements that ensure that concerns are recognised, reported and responded to appropriately. Clear procedures guide staff in responding to safeguarding incidents, and managers maintain good oversight of practice to ensure that actions are timely, proportionate and focused on promoting the welfare of young people. Safeguarding is central to the staff's practice. Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to creating an environment where young people are protected and supported.

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How well children are helped and protected

Leaders and managers regularly review safeguarding concerns, monitor emerging themes and trends, and evaluate the effectiveness of safeguarding practice. Learning from incidents is shared across the service to strengthen practice and promote continuous improvement. This proactive approach helps to ensure that safeguarding arrangements remain effective and responsive to young people's needs.

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How well children are helped and protected

Safer recruitment processes are implemented effectively. Appropriate checks are completed before staff begin working in the service, helping to ensure that only suitable individuals provide support to young people. Staff receive a structured induction and relevant training before working directly with young people, equipping them with the knowledge and skills required to promote young people's safety, wellbeing and progress towards independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

There has been a significant change in the working culture of the service that has been reflected in comments from young people, staff and visiting professionals. This change is led by managers who are committed to having high aspirations for young people and have invested in services. These changes have meant that young people are more engaged in their support and staff feel proud to work for the provider. One staff member said, 'The changes that have happened here should not go unnoticed.' Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 4 OFSTED USE ONLY

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers provide effective leadership and maintain strong oversight of the service. They have ensured that all notifiable incidents have been sent to Ofsted. They also take any necessary action after an incident to make sure that the young person gets the support they need and remains safe and protected.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are well managed and feel supported by the leadership. Staff have clear responsibilities and are accountable. They are working as a team to provide stability and consistency to young people. Staff consistently describe managers as approachable, supportive and readily available for guidance. They benefit from regular supervision sessions, annual appraisals and ongoing opportunities for professional development. New staff receive a thorough induction and are well supported when they start their roles. They say that managers and colleagues make them feel welcome and valued, helping them to build confidence and develop their skills.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff are encouraged to continually develop their knowledge and practice through ongoing learning and professional development opportunities. Managers actively support staff to undertake additional qualifications and training that is relevant to their roles, helping them to strengthen their skills, progress in their careers and further improve the quality of support provided to young people and young people. This commitment to workforce development contributes to a capable, confident and skilled staff team that is well equipped to meet the diverse needs of young people. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 5 OFSTED USE ONLY

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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 3 August 2026 and the inspectors were on site from 5 August 2026 to 6 August 2026. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 6 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Scott Breckenridge

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: rachel.polhill@sanctuary.co.uk

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Inspectors

Stephen Challis, Social Care Inspector Louise Webling, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Sanctuary Supported Living 7 OFSTED USE ONLY

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Inspectors

to achieve excellence in the care of children and children, 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

T: 0300 123 1231 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/ofsted

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