# Set up a supported accommodation service and its premises

Source: https://arccare.co.uk/help/supported-accommodation/getting-set-up
Last updated: 2026-10-27

In ARC, supported accommodation is set up as a **service** with **premises**beneath it. The service is what you register with Ofsted. A premises is one address, such as a shared house or a self-contained flat. A company can hold children's homes and supported accommodation services together.

## Choosing the service type

In the setup wizard, choose what you run: children's homes, supported accommodation, or both. A company that runs both sees every service in one list, each labelled by type, with one dashboard, one overdue list and one invoice.

## The service

For the service, ARC asks for:

- its name;
- the registered service manager;
- the nominated individual;
- the categories of accommodation you are registered for, from category 1 to category 3. Supported lodgings (category 4) is not offered.

## Each premises

Add each premises with:

- its address;
- its category, shown with its plain name: single occupancy (self-contained), shared for looked-after children and care leavers only, or shared and open to others;
- the number of **places notified to Ofsted**;
- its staffing model: staffed in shifts, or visiting.

A service that is applying to register with Ofsted can use [SA Prepare](https://arccare.co.uk/help/supported-accommodation/sa-prepare) while it puts its premises in order. For what each place costs, see [Pricing and what you are billed for](https://arccare.co.uk/help/supported-accommodation/pricing).

## Who can see what

Staff in a service can see all of its premises.