Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 32
32
Paragraph: 79
The Department has banned unregulated accommodation for children under 16.
Conclusion
The Department has banned unregulated accommodation for children under 16. We hold deep concerns that children aged 16 and 17 can still be placed in unsafe, unsuitable accommodation without care or oversight. No looked-after child should be living in a setting without some form of regulation by Ofsted. It is right that the Department will be introducing a set of mandatory national standards, overseen by Ofsted, for governing unregulated settings for 16- and 17-year-olds.
Paragraph Reference:
79
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The government recognises that a balance needs to be struck between children having the ability to live in accommodation that best suits their needs, and safeguarding concerns. The department also understands concerns regarding placement sufficiency across the country, including the impact this is having on the placements available for looked-after children. In the government’s initial response to the care review in May, we announced that we would introduce national standards for supported accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds–to be overseen by Ofsted. This is intended to provide assurance that these young people are receiving the care and support that they need. We will consult on the regulations and standards later this year, with the intention to implement them from April 2023. As such, this will be considered as part of our wider work to develop an implementation strategy to the care review.