Nacro’s NEST supported accommodation service in Lincolnshire has achieved a positive outcome in its recent Ofsted inspection, with inspectors praising the “consistently strong service delivery”.
Ofsted found that young people at our service feel safe, settled and listened to, receive warm and supportive care from staff, and are making positive progress.
NEST provides supported accommodation for young people aged 16 and 17, helping them develop the skills, confidence and independence they need as they prepare for adulthood.
Following an inspection in August 2026, Ofsted found that the young people in our service “receive warm, supportive care from staff and are making positive progress”.
Young people told inspectors that they value the support they receive and described staff as kind and helpful.
One young person said: “I feel safer now I have somewhere to be. I am starting to feel confident around other people my age.”
Another told Ofsted: “I’ve got everything I need and want here.”
Building confidence and independence
Ofsted highlighted the different ways NEST staff help young people develop their skills and independence.
This includes encouraging young people to take part in education, training and employment, helping them explore their options, apply for jobs and prepare for interviews. It also highlighted activities including cooking sessions, pizza-making and games nights, which give young people opportunities to develop their skills and confidence in an informal and supportive environment.
Young people are encouraged to have a say in how the service operates through regular ‘have your say’ sessions. They have also contributed to Nacro policies and been involved in recruiting new members of staff.
The report recognised the support available for young people’s health and wellbeing, including access to mental health and substance misuse workers on site.
Working together to support young people
Ofsted found that staff work effectively with other organisations and professionals to understand young people’s needs and help them stay safe.
Local authority professionals spoke positively about NEST, highlighting the relationships staff develop with young people, the practical skills they help them build and the communication between the service and partner agencies.
The report also found that staff feel valued and supported in their roles and believe they can make a meaningful difference to young people’s lives.
Helen Dyson, Nacro’s Director of Support and Advice Services said: “What matters most is that the young people in our supported housing feel safe, supported and listened to, so we’re delighted that this comes through so strongly in Ofsted’s findings. Having a safe and stable place to live, alongside trusted support, can give young people the confidence to develop their independence and take positive steps towards adulthood. This recognition is a real testament to the young people at Lincolnshire NEST and the dedicated staff who support them every day.”
Continuing to improve
We will use Ofsted’s full findings to continue to strengthen our support, ensuring that young people in our NEST services are set up for their futures in the strongest way possible.
