Dwelling Places Homes LTD

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 1 Dwelling Places Homes LTD Registered provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

The supported accommodation provider registered with Ofsted on 27 December 2024.

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provider

At the time of this inspection, the nominated individual was on planned leave from work. The post of registered service manager is vacant. An application has been submitted by the current service manager, who facilitated this inspection.

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provider

The provider can accommodate up to 14 children across 4 group-living homes that are limited to accommodating looked-after children or care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 10 children aged 16 and 17 years were living at the provider's supported accommodation.

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Inspection dates: 12 to 14 August 2026

The inspection was announced on 10 August 2026 and started that day. The inspector was on site from 12 to 14 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

Children are well supported and thrive within this service.

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Summary of findings

Staff are ambitious for children's futures and this filters through to the children, who are motivated to achieve.

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Summary of findings

Leaders and staff are consistently strong in communication both internally within the provider service and with external agencies. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff know the children well and build trusting relationships with them. They are attentive to each child's emotional resilience and the individual triggers for behaviour. Staff understand children and are skilled in working effectively together to meet their needs. This ensures that all children are provided individualised support.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff are ambitious for children and their futures. All children are in education, sixth form or college. Some children who are studying, also have part-time employment. Staff support children in their efforts to seek work, apprenticeships or next steps to university. Staff help children by providing an environment in which children feel settled and secure. Children spoken to during the inspection presented as focused and clear about their aspirations, with some having 'a plan b, just in case'. Aspirations included being a software engineer, bricklayer, air attendant, doing health and beauty, health and social care and youth work. Staff are proud the dedication that children put into to their studies and exams.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children's opinions are gathered and listened to by staff during house meetings, key-work sessions, complaints and compliments. For example, where children raised a request to allow other children to come into their room, this was listened to by staff and raised during the senior leadership meeting.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children's records are well maintained; referral information is reflected in risk assessments and support plans. Children are actively encouraged to contribute to their support plans. The plans support staff to meet each child's individual support needs.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support the cultural, religious and identity needs of children. One child was supported to practice their faith by staff attending church with them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children are supported to develop essential life skills towards achieving positive outcomes and independence in their futures. An independent reviewing officer said that children are encouraged to 'participate in discussions that affect them and this leads to them feeling valued and respected'.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff ensure that children have the information they need to allow them to understand their responsibilities, develop healthy lifestyles and make informed decisions. One child who is studying and has a part-time job was provided support in navigating the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle alongside studying and working.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Leaders and managers ensure that all staff are involved in key-work sessions with children. They have planned discussions that highlight the topics to be covered and informal key-work sessions as topics emerge. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 3

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How well children are helped and protected

Safeguarding is a priority within the service; staff proactively respond to concerns when they arise. Children said that they feel safe in their homes and in the community. Leaders and managers ensure that all relevant safeguarding events are reported to the local authority and notified as appropriate to Ofsted. This ensures that any potential risks are responded to promptly. Social work professionals report that staff establish effective relationships with children that enable and help children to feel 'safe, heard and respected'.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff support children through reminders, prompts and tablet boxes to take their medication. Staff do not administer medication. They support children towards full self-autonomy.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children said that they would speak to staff they trust if they were worried or had any safeguarding concerns. Children will ask for help when they are struggling. For example, they ask for help when balancing their studies while transitioning, and when needing help to navigate assignments due to the impact of their lived experiences. Children were also aware of external bodies that they could contact about safeguarding issues.

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How well children are helped and protected

Missing-from-home episodes are responded to in line with procedures. Safeguarding practice is put in place to ensure that the multi-agency partners are informed, and action is taken for the safe return of children.

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How well children are helped and protected

Health and safety monitoring is in place and ensures that the accommodations are safe for children to live in.

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How well children are helped and protected

Children have access to key supports where required, such as child and adolescent mental health services. This ensures that children have support in resolving some of their past traumas.

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How well children are helped and protected

The staff support the children to navigate the challenges they face day to day, by promoting positive behaviour and using de-escalation techniques. This ensures the safety of children and minimises the need for restraint.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The current service manager within the service has applied to Ofsted to be the registered service manager. The staff team is stable and consistent. Where agency staff are used, leaders and managers use the same staff whenever possible. This ensures that children receive consistent support from staff who they know.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

When considering new referrals, leaders and managers ensure that staff are involved in the process, understand the children's needs and put in place plans for the children when they move into the home. Leaders and managers have accepted children with high needs, requiring higher levels of support. In one instance, this Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 4 was not in the best interest of the child and led to placement instability, not only affecting the child, but other children and staff. Leaders and managers reflected on this experience and considered what lessons could be learned. They updated the statement of purpose accordingly.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Communication both internally and e xternally is a particular strength within this service. Social workers describe communication as 'consistently good'. Staff attend and actively participate in meetings with the local authority and other agencies, sharing relevant information. This ensures that external professionals have a good understanding of the children's journeys towards independence.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers are proactive in ensuring that the accommodations are homely and well maintained. Safer recruitment practice is embedded within the service, ensuring that staff are suitably vetted and safe to work with children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

The provider actively promotes a culture of learning in which staff are supported to develop their knowledge and skills in meeting the needs of children. This ensures that children's specific support needs are met.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers ensure that regular training, team meetings, effective supervision and reflective discussions are held. This supports staff in their understanding of key issues facing children. This consistent approach to learning lessons, identifying improvements and learning from good practice demonstrates a commitment to driving forward change.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Staff consistently reported feeling well supported by the leadership team. Staff report that they gain excellent support from management, who are approachable, responsive and committed to staff support. Training provided by managers is of good quality. The leadership team promotes a positive working environment where staff are valued. This leads to staff providing effective support for children. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes 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 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

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. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(f)) 23 September

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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: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD

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Supported accommodation provider details

Nominated individual: Martha Da Costa-Sherwood

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Oluwaseun Ngozi Jacobson

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Supported accommodation provider details

Email address: info@dwellingplaceshomes.org.uk

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Inspector

Phyllis Dyer, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Dwelling Places Homes LTD 7 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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