South West
Plymouth, far enough that the visit must earn it
Plymouth City Council is the planning authority for the city. Cornwall and Devon are different councils beyond it. Ofsted still uses the England framework, and the South West total was 260 children’s homes at 31 March 2025.
The distance from Birmingham is the practical fact. We do not imply a local presence we do not have. If the work is a document review, we start there. If someone needs to be in the building, we say so and we book it.
Fiveways is based in Birmingham. This page is about the work in Plymouth, not a local branch.
Planning applications in this area are decided by Plymouth City Council.
- Inspection preparation and management support are the reasons a Plymouth visit is usually worth making.
- A notice with a short deadline may not leave time for a useful journey. We will say that at the start.
- Recruitment support, where it is needed, is advice to you as the employer. We are not a recruitment agency supplying staff in the city.
The work that usually belongs here
Questions that come up here
How quickly can you be in Plymouth?
It depends on the diary and the trains. We will not promise a same-day arrival. If the matter cannot wait, use the telephone and we will tell you what can be done on the papers.
Is the South West figure a Plymouth figure?
No. 260 is Ofsted’s count for the whole South West at 31 March 2025.
Nearby, and not the same
- Bristol — South Gloucestershire and North Somerset are next door, not included.
- Southampton — A unitary city on the coast, inside a large region.
- Birmingham — Visits are arranged at the service.