OpenMinds Young Persons Project

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project OpenMinds Young Persons Project

p.1

Registered provider: OpenMinds Social Care Ltd

p.1

Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

p.1

provider

OpenMinds registered with Ofsted on 24 May 2024 to provide ring-fenced supported accommodation. The provider has 2 properties, offering supported accommodation for up to 10 children.

p.1

provider

This visit was announced on the day. On the day of this visit, 2 children were receiving support from this provider.

p.1

provider

The inspector visited one property. They spoke to one child, 2 support workers, and the registered service manager, who is also the nominated individual.

p.1

This monitoring visit

At the full inspection on 6 to 10 July 2026, the inspectors found significant and widespread weaknesses in leadership and management. As a result, Ofsted issued a compliance notice under regulation 4, leadership and management.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The purpose of this visit was to monitor progress. The leaders and managers have met the compliance notice.

p.1

This monitoring visit

The registered manager has demonstrated that children’s safety and welfare are central to the organisation. They have taken significant steps towards strengthening the service and the workforce. This includes embedding a monitoring system to ensure that an appropriate process is followed when recruiting staff. The registered service manager is placing emphasis on ensuring that staff understand what is expected of them through the delivery of training and reflective team meetings. The Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project quality of relevant information within children’s records has improved. These actions demonstrate a positive commitment from the provider to address the concerns from the full inspection and to establish a more robust system to sustain improvement.

p.1

This monitoring visit

Not all staff consistently recognise and take swift action to safeguard children. For example, following a disclosure of a serious incident, staff failed to promptly report and escalate concerns to the registered service manager resulting in an unnecessary delay in their oversight. When concerns are identified, the registered manager ensures that appropriate support is in place to safeguard children and promote their wellbeing. The registered manager demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding children and to addressing identified weaknesses in practice.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff’s passion for building warm, trusting relationships with children is an asset to the service. Children receive support from staff who take the time to get to know them, their interests and aspirations. Staff are proactive in identifying educational opportunities for children. For example, staff are supporting one child to fully explore their future aspirations, including considering training courses to pursue their preferred career path.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Staff enable children to voice their views. Staff understand the importance of children having access to independent support and advocacy. Staff have supported one child to access an independent advocate to challenge a decision regarding their support that they disagree with. This ensures that children are supported in expressing their views, understanding their rights, and have their wishes and feelings appropriately represented.

p.2

This monitoring visit

The business continuity does not yet outline the actions the provider will take in the event of unplanned disruption.

p.2

This monitoring visit

Requirements made at the last inspection are outside the scope of this visit. These will be reviewed at the next inspection. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project

p.2

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.

p.3

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.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that staff work effectively as a team, where appropriate, to meet the needs of children;

p.3

Requirement Due date

ensure that a business continuity plan is in place, outlining the actions the registered provider will take during unplanned disruption, covering all areas of the undertaking’s operation, including staffing, premises and emergency scenarios. (Regulation 4 (1) (2)(b)(k))

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must ensure that the staff understand their responsibility to escalate incidents to ensure that appropriate action has been taken to keep children safe.

p.3

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must update their business continuity plan to set out what steps will be taken during any unplanned disruption in the day-to-day management of the service.

p.3

Requirement Due date

This document should cover unplanned disruption, covering all areas of the undertaking’s operation, including who will take over management responsibility in the registered service manager’s absence. 30 October 2026

p.3

Requirement Due date

The registered person must notify the CIECSS and any relevant person without delay if— 30 October 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project a child is involved in or subject to, or is suspected of being involved in or subject to, sexual exploitation or child criminal exploitation;

p.3

Requirement Due date

an incident requiring police involvement occurs in relation to a child and the registered person considers that incident to be serious;

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is an allegation of abuse against the supported accommodation undertaking or a person working for it;

p.4

Requirement Due date

concludes (in which case, the notification must include the outcome of the child protection enquiry);

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is an incident involving the use of a measure of restraint of a child;

p.4

Requirement Due date

there is any other incident relating to a child which the registered person considers to be serious. (Regulation 27 (3)(a)(b)(c)(d)(i)(ii)(e)(f)) The protection standard is that children are enabled to feel safe and that their needs are met.

p.4

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph requires the registered person to—

p.4

Requirement Due date

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

p.4

Requirement Due date

are familiar and act in accordance with child protection policies; 30 October 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project 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;

p.4

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;

p.5

Requirement Due date

understand the relevant roles and responsibilities assigned to them by the registered person in relation to protecting children. (Regulation 5 (1) (2)(a)(i)(ii)(iii)(c)(f)(i)(ii)(iii)(vi))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person must:

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the staff receive appropriate training so that they have the skills and knowledge to identify and respond to children’s needs;

p.5

Requirement Due date

obtain all the key information relating to children’s needs and risks before any emergency admission, to ensure that the service can meet the child’s needs, and keep this under review;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that there is effective oversight of children’s placements to confirm that the supported accommodation remains suitable and continues to meet their needs;

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that children’s risk assessments are up to date. The registered must ensure that children experience a comfortable and secure living environment.

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the standard in paragraph (1) requires the registered person to—

p.5

Requirement Due date

ensure that the premises used as supported accommodation—

p.5

Requirement Due date

comply with all relevant statutory provisions dealing with health and safety or fire safety matters. (Regulation 6 (1) (2)(b)(x))

p.5

Requirement Due date

In particular, the registered person should ensure that all the recommendations arising from the fire risk assessment are addressed in a timely manner. 30 October 2026

p.5

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain records (“case 30 October 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project records”) in relation to each child accommodated by the supported accommodation undertaking which—

p.5

Requirement Due date

include the information and documents listed in Schedule 2;

p.6

Requirement Due date

are signed and dated by the author of each entry. (Regulation 24 (1)(a)(b)(c))

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must establish a procedure for considering complaints and representations made by or on behalf of children.

p.6

Requirement Due date

In particular, the procedure must provide that no person who is the subject of a complaint or representation takes any part in its consideration or investigation, except at the informal resolution stage if the registered person considers it appropriate.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must ensure that a record is made of any complaint or representation, the action taken in response, and the outcome of any investigation.

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide to the CIECSS upon request a statement containing a summary of any complaints or representations made during the 12 months preceding the date of the request and the action that was taken in response to each complaint or representation. (Regulation 31 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)) 30 October 2026

p.6

Requirement Due date

The registered person must maintain a system for monitoring and improving the quality of support provided by the supported accommodation undertaking by completing a review (“a quality of support review”) at least once every six months, which must take into account—

p.6

Requirement Due date

the views of children, including any feedback and complaints received;

p.6

Requirement Due date

feedback from individual children on the impact the supported accommodation has had on the child’s life, especially regarding how well prepared the child felt for transition into supported accommodation and how well prepared the child feels for transition out of supported accommodation; 30 October 2026 Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project feedback from each child’s accommodating authority, staff and any relevant persons;

p.6

Requirement Due date

any relevant research and developments in relation to the way in which the needs of children are best met.

p.7

Requirement Due date

After completing a quality of support review, the registered person must produce a written report setting out the actions the registered person intends to take as a result of that quality of support review.

p.7

Requirement Due date

The registered person must provide a copy of the review report to the CIECSS within 28 days beginning with the day on which the report is completed, and make a copy of it available on request to each child’s accommodating authority. (Regulation 32 (1)(a)(b)(c)(d) (2) (3))

p.7

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.

p.7

Information about this inspection

This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project

p.7

Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: OpenMinds Social Care Ltd

p.8

Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: Openminds Social Care Ltd, Southbridge House, Southbridge Place, Croydon CR0 4HA

p.8

Inspector

Josephine Onwubiko, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider - monitoring visit: OpenMinds Young Persons Project 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.

p.8

Inspector

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 1231, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence , write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

p.9

Inspector

Interested in our work? You can subscribe to our monthly newsletter for more information and updates: http://eepurl.com/iTrDn .

p.9

Inspector

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

p.9