Government bans unregulated accommodation for young people in care

We are very pleased to hear that children in or leaving care, will be better protected through new regulations that will ban unregulated accommodation for young people in care or leaving care aged 16 – 17.

From October this year, the regulation of supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds will be managed by Ofsted. This move is part of a series of changes that the government is making in order to ensure that young people are given the best chance to thrive within the care system. Supported accommodation helps provide a safe and secure environment for vulnerable young people to develop the skills and knowledge they need to live independently. It is an important part of safeguarding these young people who may not yet have fully developed their independent living skills. However whilst there are a number of providers who are providing an excellent service there are sadly also more than a few who have been providing a service that falls far short of this.

The regulation of supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds by Ofsted will help to provide greater oversight, ensuring that the standards of care meet the specific needs of this vulnerable group. Ofsted will be responsible for monitoring the quality of accommodation, safety characteristics and the staff employed to provide care. This will ensure that they are provided with a safe and supportive environment to develop their skills and knowledge. It will also ensure that there is consistent regulation of all supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds, creating a level playing field for providers and make it easier for local authorities to find the best providers for young people in their area. The regulation of supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds by Ofsted is part of a wider plan to improve the quality of care for vulnerable young people. This move will help to ensure that young people are given the best possible opportunity to move towards independence and achieve their full potential.

Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:

With the Government introducing new regulations and standards designed to improve the quality of supported accommodation for 16 and 17-year-olds in care and leaving care, it is important that those providing this accommodation are effectively prepared to register under the new regime and to implement the new ways of working.

The National Children’s Bureau is undertaking a range of activity on behalf of DfE to prepare the supported accommodation sector for this journey, and we will be working with young people in care and care leavers to ensure their voices and experiences are embedded at both programme and local levels.

The government is investing over £123 million over the next three years to support local authorities to respond to these changes, and offset the costs associated with the reforms. The funding will be distributed via grant payments from April 2023.

You will find further information here

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-bans-unregulated-accommodation-for-young-people-in-care