We are delighted to announce that our Foyer and Supported Lodgings accommodation services have passed Ofsted registration.
This is a major achievement, helping to cement the future of services that hundreds of young people rely on each year.
The government recently published new mandatory quality standards for providers of supported accommodation for 16 and 17 years old. This means providers – including charities like Step by Step – have to apply for Ofsted regulation and meet strict criteria if they are to operate legally.
We were confident we already met these quality standards, but it was still gratifying to pass Ofsted inspections for both our shared accommodation Foyers and our community-based Supported Lodgings.
Our new fostering agency, Step by Step Fostering Ltd, was already Ofsted registered when it launched in October.
Debbie Moreton, Step by Step CEO, commented: “Achieving Ofsted registration is a significant milestone is our commitment to providing high quality 16+ supported accommodation. This achievement reflects our dedication to creating safe and supportive environments, empowering young individuals on their journey to independence.”
Mae Partridge, Head of Foyers and Wellbeing Services, added: “I’m extremely pleased that our supported accommodation services are Ofsted registered. Our team are looking forward to working within the new framework and evidencing the excellent work we do.”
We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the registration process – it took a significant amount of collaborative working behind the scenes to bring everything together.
Kelly Headen, Head of Fostering and Supported Lodgings, explained: “Throughout our registration process, the team, host families and young people visited were exceptional, engaging well with the Ofsted inspectors and allowing them to see the real beauty of our service in action.”
We welcome the new regulations and what they mean for the safety and wellbeing of young people.
Step by Step were one of the first supported accommodation suppliers in the South of England to apply for and achieve Ofsted registration.
Charlie is the Aldershot Foyer Manager, a role that involves overseeing the day to day running of the accommodation department, with responsibility for the Step Worker team and the young people we support.
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