Ofsted has unveiled a major crackdown on unregistered children's homes amid growing concerns about the safety of vulnerable youngsters in these facilities. The education watchdog has outlined plans to intensify inspections, employ prosecutions, and crack down on profiteering within the sector – with at least 200 cases of unlicensed provision identified so far this year.
The revised approach includes greater collaboration with local authorities and police to take swift safeguarding action when unregistered homes are discovered. New grading criteria will also be introduced for local councils that fail to act decisively against illegal provision, holding them accountable for their placement decisions.
A new report from Ofsted highlights the factors driving the surge in unlicensed homes: a shortage of skilled social care workers, rising housing costs, and dwindling foster carer numbers. These issues force authorities to place children far from home or in settings ill-suited to their needs – despite record spending on placements.
In a bid to tackle this 'sufficiency' problem proactively, Ofsted has updated its guidance for registering new homes, prioritising applications from providers offering specialist provision in areas of greatest need. This targeted approach aims to ensure that new facilities effectively meet local authorities' urgent requirements and support the welfare of children in care.
Children's Minister Josh MacAlister has welcomed this targeted strategy, stressing the importance of making available new homes where they are needed most. Sir Martyn Oliver, Ofsted's Chief Inspector, described unlicensed provision as a "scourge on our society" and affirmed that tackling criminality and addressing sufficiency is essential for resolving this critical issue.