Government sets out proposed national standards for unregulated accommodation

As part of efforts to ensure that provision in the care system focused on supporting older children to develop their independence is high-quality, the Department for Education wants to introduce national standards and Ofsted-regulation for unregulated supported accommodation.

A consultation on the proposals, published today, lists four standards - leadership and management, protection, accommodation, and support.

Among other things, the leadership and management standard would require each individual service to have an allocated person who is accountable for all elements of service delivery, and for them to notify Ofsted and relevant local authorities of serious incidents such as a death, or sexual or criminal exploitation.

The protection standard would require staff to have the necessary skills to identify and act upon signs that a child is at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or any other risk that may cause a young person harm, and “act to reduce this risk as effectively as possible”. Staff would also be required to work collaboratively with young people to “ensure they understand how to keep safe and offer guidance and support on how to minimise any potential risks”.

The accommodation standard aims to ensure the accommodation is suitable for its stated purpose, is accessible, safe and secure, well maintained and provides for the young person’s individual and collective needs in a comfortable, positive and therapeutic environment. Under the requirements in this area, each young person would need to be provided with a bedroom or self-contained area which is lockable and equipped to meet the individual’s needs and lifestyle.

And the support standard would require young people to be encouraged and enabled to take a lead role in the support they receive, support plans to be created from initial referral information, and consultation with the young person, and a formal plan put in place to support a young person to move on when ready for more independent living.