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06 Dec Safeguarding in Supported Accommodation: Ensuring Quality and Accountability

Posted at 12:07h in Commissioning Alliance News, Quality Assurance by
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Safeguarding is one of several priorities in Commissioning Alliance’s ongoing work to support local authorities (LAs) in commissioning high-quality provision for children in care.

Given their diverse needs, and the varied regulatory landscape when it comes to Supported Accommodation (SA) for young people aged 16 to 25, ensuring safety and accountability for this age group is particularly important. From September 2023, Ofsted registration has been required for services for 16–18-year-olds; however, services exclusively for those over 18 currently do not have a national regulatory framework.

To better support our local authority members, we established the Supported Accommodation Dynamic Purchasing Vehicle (DPV) in 2020. This framework not only streamlines the commissioning and contract management of SA providers but also sets a high standard for quality assurance.

The Safeguarding, Suspension, and Barring Board

As part of CA’s commitment to safeguarding, we’ve introduced a revised Safeguarding, Suspension, and Barring Board (SSBB). This Board responds to concerns about provider performance, helping our members ensure young people receive safe, high-quality care.

The SSBB works collectively with the lead local authority – Hammersmith and Fulham – and other stakeholders to enforce remedies where safeguarding or contractual issues arise.

Key Objectives of the SSBB

The SSBB’s primary aim is to protect young people by making a collective decision to suspend a provider from the DPV if:

  • Serious safeguarding concerns are raised.
  • Evidence of gross misconduct is identified.
  • Providers are found to be in breach of their contract.

This process ensures that:

  • Accountability is prioritised: Providers are held to clear standards of performance and required to take corrective actions where necessary.
  • Young people’s safety is protected: The suspension halts new placements while safeguarding those still accessing the service.
  • Improvement is incentivised: Providers can return to the DPV once they meet the quality assurance thresholds and address the terms of their suspension.

Collaborative Safeguarding Measures

Like all our work at CA, the SSBB benefits from a partnership-driven approach. Decisions are made collectively, and the Lead Local Authority and a Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) offer legal guidance to effectively manage providers in breach of their contracts. This ensures every decision is informed, robust, and centred on the best interests of young people.

Supporting Local Authorities in Safeguarding

Through the SA DPV, we offer comprehensive contract monitoring and accreditation, complementing the regulatory oversight provided by Ofsted (where applicable) and the contract management activities of placing LAs. The introduction of the SSBB adds another critical layer of accountability to ensure young people in Supported Accommodation receive the care and protection they deserve.

By holding providers to the highest standards, we are upholding or commitment to working with our members to create safer environments for young people in care, including those transitioning to independence.

If you’d like to discuss our approach to safeguarding or learn more about the SA DPV and SSBB, don’t hesitate to get in touch.