A housing service for young people in Warrington has received a positive assessment from government inspectors, who praised the council for the high quality of support provided to those leaving care.
The Ofsted inspection, which took place from 2-5 February 2026, evaluated the Warrington Borough Council supported accommodation service. The service provides homes for up to 14 young people aged 16-17 in both shared and self-contained settings. In their report, inspectors highlighted the consistently strong delivery of the service and the positive progress made by the young people living there.
According to the findings, residents feel happy, safe, and well supported. Inspectors noted that the staff build strong relationships with the young people, helping them to develop essential life skills, prepare for independent living, and engage in education, training, and employment. The report also commended the leadership and management teams for maintaining strong oversight and setting a positive, child-centred tone for the daily operation of the service.
This result adds to the progress of the council’s broader children’s services, which were rated as ‘Good’ in July 2024. Despite facing significant financial pressures, the council has prioritised these services, including an expansion of local authority-run children’s home beds from 8 to 46 since 2019 to ensure young people can remain within their community.
Cllr Matt Smith, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, stated that the council remains committed to prioritising help for the most vulnerable residents, even while navigating difficult financial challenges. The dedication of the staff team was specifically highlighted by inspectors as a key factor in the successful outcomes for the young people in their care.
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