Ofsted promises to penalise councils using illegal children's homes
Summary
Ofsted, the UK government body that inspects children's services, will penalize local councils that place children in illegal, unregistered children’s homes. The regulator plans to downgrade councils' performance ratings and fine companies running unregistered homes to stop unsafe placements.Key Facts
- Councils can be rated as needing "urgent improvement" if they use unregistered children’s homes.
- Companies running illegal placements will face fines.
- In 2021, the UK government banned unregistered children’s homes after reports of abuse and trafficking.
- Despite more homes being available, illegal placements and costs have increased.
- Some councils spent over £2 million on one child’s placement in illegal homes last year.
- Ofsted has struggled to prosecute providers and has long delays (up to 18 months) in approving home registrations.
- Whistleblowers report poor conditions, such as children being locked in rooms.
- Ofsted’s chief inspector increased the investigation team and has three prosecutions ongoing.
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