Telford council’s ‘My Options’ service praised by Ofsted
A Telford accommodation service for care leavers is helping young people “develop and thrive” according to a new report.
Ofsted inspectors visited My Options – Supported Accommodation in January 2026. The service is run by Telford & Wrekin Council and supports up to 33 looked-after children and care leavers.
The inspection found that service delivery is “consistently strong”. Children told inspectors that the support they receive is “good” and “excellent”. One young person described the teamwork of the staff as “incredible”. They added: “I am the way I am today because of every single staff member”.
The report highlights how children are involved in major decisions. They help plan their own safety and support journeys. Some children even meet job applicants to give their views during the hiring process.
Young people are kept busy with activities like cooking, football matches, and creative arts. One resident even organised a chess tournament with help from staff. One child told inspectors that the service has been the “best place they have ever lived”.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds, Cabinet Member for Children & Young People, said: “This is a truly wonderful result and one that reflects the dedication, passion and hard work of everyone involved.” She added that the report is a testament to the “extraordinary commitment” of staff and hosts.
Improvements required
While the report was largely positive, inspectors noted some areas that must be fixed. The council has been told it must improve its recruitment procedures.
Inspectors found that some recruitment checks did not include reference verification. They also noted that not all adults living in supported lodgings had received enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.
The council has been given a deadline of 28 February 2026 to ensure all staff and adults in these homes have the correct safety certificates in place.
