The use of the settings, which provide housing with limited or no support for children in care has been banned for under-16s. Campaigners had called for this ban to be extended for all under-18s.
But this week the government said the settings for 16- and 17-year-olds will be allowed to continue, and will be overseen by Ofsted from 2023 under a new set of mandatory national standards.
Article 39 director Carolyne Willow described the inspection arrangements as “second rate”, particularly as they will see Ofsted inspect a sample of properties run by any single provider.
“This is despite respondents to the consultation warning that this risks poor practice being missed, and the voices of children not being heard,” she said.
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