Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 69
69
Regulatory gaps persist, including child handcuffing and Ofsted ratings deterring complex needs placements.
Conclusion
The Department for Education has made some welcome steps towards increasing Ofsted’s powers of intervention in the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. However, some key gaps in regulation remain, most notably the worrying practice of using handcuffs to transport children between settings. We are also concerned that fear of negative Ofsted ratings is causing providers to refuse children with complex needs, putting more pressure on an already overstretched sector. (Conclusion, Paragraph 175)
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 17 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗