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Ofsted chief warns against ‘oversimplified’ regulation of supported accommodation

3 mins read Social Care Ofsted
Ofsted’s chief inspector Amanda Spielman has issued a warning against oversimplifying the regulation of supported accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds in care.
Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman said that supported accommodation should be 'caring, kind and nurturing.' Picture: Ofsted
Ofsted's chief inspector Amanda Spielman said that supported accommodation should be 'caring, kind and nurturing.' Picture: Ofsted

The comments come following a Department for Education consultation which sought views on a range of proposed quality standards for supported accommodation for older children in care, including plans for such settings to be inspected “at least once every three years.”

The proposed standards were hit with backlash from campaigners, with concerns raised that the proposals do not include a requirement for these settings to provide wraparound care for children.

In a response to the consultation, Spielman warns that “it is not helpful" for standards to differentiate between ‘care’ and ‘support’.

She said: “While supported accommodation may not provide ‘care’ in the same way as a children’s home does, we certainly do not want providers to think that providing any kind of ‘care’ will automatically mean they are operating illegally. High-quality supported accommodation should always be caring, kind and nurturing.

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