Recommendation 11

Ofsted cannot routinely inspect unregistered homes and local authorities are not obliged to inform Ofsted when they place children in unregistered care, even though it is illegal for providers to operate such homes.22 In such cases there are no formal checks to ensure that children receive high quality care and that they and the wider community are safe. We expressed concerns over the safety of children in unregistered places, including vulnerability to criminal gangs and to sexual exploitation and abuse, and highlighted that those in illegal homes include some children with court orders taking away their liberty. We emphasised that the current situation is completely unacceptable.23 We asked the Department to confirm its position on the number that should be placed in unregistered illegal care. It agreed that no child should be living in such a setting.24 We asked the Department how long it expects it to take to stop the use of unregistered placements. In response, it described the wider reforms to residential care, which it previously told us would take two years to take effect.25 18 Q 24 19 Qq 93-95 20 C&AG’s Report, para 1.18 21 Qq 2, 49 22 C&AG’s Report, para 1.18 23 Qq 46-49 24 Q 43 25 Qq 37, 48 10