Penrose Drive Independent Approved Premises Achieves Enabling Environments Award

Penrose Drive Independent Approved Premises Achieves Enabling Environments Award

SIG Penrose is proud to announce that Penrose Drive Independent Approved Premises (IAP) has been awarded the prestigious Enabling Environments Award, recognising the service as a place where positive relationships, emotional safety and growth are at the heart of everyday practice.

Penrose Drive welcomes approximately 200 people each year, providing a safe, structured and rehabilitative environment for individuals preparing to move forward in their lives. This award is a significant acknowledgement of the team’s commitment to creating a setting that is supportive, inclusive and focused on empowering residents to achieve meaningful and lasting change.

The Enabling Environments framework, developed as a quality improvement programme, sets out ten standards that describe the core values of a healthy psychosocial environment. These standards highlight how purposeful relationships, structure, respect, learning and personal development can be embedded throughout a service. Meeting these standards demonstrates that Penrose Drive has achieved a level of excellence in how its unique community functions, supports, and connects.

Assessors commended Penrose Drive for its “supportive and inclusive culture”, noting that staff consistently model strong learning and development behaviours that inspire residents. They highlighted the creative, rehabilitative, and Psychologically Informed Planned Environments (PIPEs) informed activities offered across the service; activities which residents described as enjoyable, confidence-building, and deeply connecting. Many residents, including those with experience of other Approved Premises, rated Penrose Drive very highly.

The award also reflects the service’s strong operational outcomes. Last year, Penrose Drive’s recall rate was 29%, a figure consistent with previous years and comparable with probation‑led Approved Premises. The team also played a key role in the HMIP Pilot Inspections, helping shape the future standards for AP inspections nationwide, and was proud to receive a ‘Good’ rating.

Speaking about the achievement, staff told assessors, “There’s something in the soul of this place”—capturing the personal commitment and culture of care that underpin Penrose Drive’s work every day.

This award is a powerful recognition of the team’s dedication, professionalism and belief in the potential of every resident who walks through the door. SIG Penrose extends its congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in making Penrose Drive an environment where people feel supported to learn, grow and build a positive future.