Bedspace Yorkshire Region

Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 1 Bedspace Yorkshire Region Registered provider: Bedspace Resource Limited

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Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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provider

This supported accommodation service is operated by a private provider in the North West of England. The provider can accommodate up to 14 children in a self- contained unit, where the accommodation is for the sole use of one person and 19 children in 5 group-living homes that are not limited to accommodating looked-after children and care leavers.

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provider

At the time of the inspection, 15 individuals, who were looked-after children or care leavers aged 16 or 17, were being accommodated.

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provider

The manager has been registered with Ofsted since 14 January 2024.

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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 happy and feel safe in their homes. They feel well prepared for living independently and their transition into adulthood. They receive high-quality support from staff who they feel care about them and form positive relationships.

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Summary of findings

Most children are in education, employment and training and make good progress in other areas of their life.

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Summary of findings

The quality of accommodation provided for children is excellent. Children appreciate this and take care of their surroundings which means that they feel safe in their environment.

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Summary of findings

The registered person has good oversight of the service and knows the children well. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Children said that they feel happy and safe in their home. One child said, ‘The staff reassure me. I know that staff are here if I was worried about something.’ They also said that staff build good relationships and support them when they have worries or concerns, which means that they have a trusted adult they can speak to. This means that children are confident in being able to make a complaint. For those children who have raised complaints to staff this has been addressed promptly.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

The service provides support using 3 different models. This ranges from group living to solo accommodation with floating support, with the child’s long-term plan to take over the tenancy. This model provides children with consistency and works well in practice. The service helps children to purchase their household items in their property at a discounted rate via a ‘setting up home’ grant.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff support children to maintain and build relationships with friends and family. Family and friends can visit the homes and can stay overnight. Children have access to reliable Wi-Fi in their homes which enables them to remain in contact with people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help to support children who are separated from their families and places of origin. They are sensitive to children’s cultural needs and have a good knowledge of the local area. As a result, children access local community groups and places of worship, which helps them to understand their cultural heritage and identity. Staff use different forms of translation services. This helps them l translate important documents into the child’s chosen language.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff encourage and motivate children to access education, employment or training. Most children access some form of education provision and training. For those children who are not, staff spend their time focusing on children’s goals and aspirations. For example, staff support one child with options option to help them set up their own business.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff help children develop life skills in line with their individual needs, so they are fully prepared for adulthood. Staff follow a detailed programme of work. They also help children to understand how they can improve their skills for independent living. Children state that they value the support which is offered.

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Overall experiences and progress of children

Staff work closely with different agencies to ensure that the quality of support for children is well coordinated. One social worker said, ‘We held a review this morning, it was really positive. We have complimented the team. Staff make her feel safe and they have developed trusting relationships. [Name of child] wants to stay.’

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff complete a wide range of safeguarding training to help them to support children effectively. Leaders and managers are proactive in seeking additional Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 3 training for staff when new risks are identified for children such as knife crime and ketamine. However, staff were not fully trained to support a child who was admitted to the service with a nut allergy. Leaders and managers acknowledged this as a training shortfall and have since explored training options.

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How well children are helped and protected

Support plans and risk assessments include children’s known risks and how staff will work with children to reduce those risks. They are clear and include children’s known vulnerabilities, including contextual safeguarding. Staff review the plans on a regular basis with children and include their views.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff maintain detailed records for children. However, the language used within in some documents and daily records is not always appropriate and is not consistently written in a child-centred manner.

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How well children are helped and protected

When children are missing from home, staff follow steps to locate them such as contacting their families and known associates. There is well co-ordinated response to reduce the risk of harm. When staff locate children, they check on their well- being. Children are offered return home interviews from an independent service.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff complete detailed location assessments for each of the premises registered, and these are reviewed regularly. Leaders and managers closed one home due to increased risks in the areas, which included anti-social behaviour. They moved the children to other accommodation in the service which was deemed to be more suitable and safe. This followed consultation with the children’s placing local authorities.

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How well children are helped and protected

Staff ensure that accommodation is safe, secure and provides privacy for children. Staff maintain accommodation to a high standard and encourage children to maintain their homes to this standard. This also helps to keep the accommodation homely.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers have good oversight of the service. They have exceptional understanding of children’s vulnerabilities and are child focused. They are strong advocates for children and ensure that children receive the right support. Children speak highly of the managers and the nurturing support they offer them.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Leaders and managers appropriately challenge the placing local authorities when supported accommodation is not the right provision for children. Since the last inspection leaders and managers have implemented a more robust referral and admissions process which has meant fewer immediate end of placements for children.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers

Managers provide staff with regular supervision meetings and appraisals. This means that staff can discuss their well-being, development and progress in the service. As a result, staff feel valued and listened to by managers. Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 4 Staff are positive about the support and training they receive. They said that they feel valued working for the service. One member of staff said, ‘I would describe it as an amazing company to work for. Throughout my time here, I have found the team leaders and management to be very supportive, approachable, and understanding.’ Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 5

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Recommendations

 The registered person should ensure that staff use appropriate language in case recordings in a way that is helpful to the young person if they choose to view their records in the future. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’ page 58)  The registered person should ensure that they arrange for any essential training to be completed in timescales in line with children’s needs. (‘Guide to the Supported Accommodation Regulations, including Quality Standards’ page 16)

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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: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 6

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider: Bedspace Resource Limited

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered provider address: 473 Chester Road, Manchester M16 9HF

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Supported accommodation provider details

Registered service manager: Debbie Barrell

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Inspectors

Helen Fee, Social Care Inspector Beth Forster, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for supported accommodation provider: Bedspace Yorkshire Region 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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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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Inspectors

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