CYP Now - Put end to unregulated provision for under-18s, urge campaigners

Consultation to tighten restrictions on the use of unregulated supported accommodation does not go far enough, say campaigners. But children’s services leaders call for councils to be given flexibility in finding the right settings.

Campaigners are calling for every looked-after child to receive care until they reach 18 and new standards for care leavers’ accommodation. Picture: Martinan/Adobe Stock

As a Department for Education consultation into reforms to unregulated supported accommodation for children in care comes to a close, controversy surrounds plans to ban its use for under-16s only instead of all under-18s as campaigners want. In addition, the role of an “expert” working group tasked with drafting quality standards for settings has been questioned.

According to the consultation document, 6,180 children were living in independent and semi-independent accommodation not subject to children’s home regulations on 31 March 2019. This figure has increased year on year since the same date in 2015 when numbers stood at 1,240.

Providing support for under-16s without being registered with the inspectorate is not illegal, but if care is provided this could be an offence.

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