The consultation comes ahead of the introduction of inspections for such settings in April next year.
Launching its consultation, a spokesperson for Ofsted said: “The consultation is an opportunity for providers, children, care leavers and the wider sector to give their views on proposals relating to inspection outcomes, the notice we give for inspections and the main features of effective supported accommodation.”
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Inspections Clinic: Supported accommodation
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Unregulated accommodation for 16- and 17-year-olds cannot be normalised
It will consult on plans including three possible outcomes for settings which include:
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Consistently strong service delivery leads to typically positive experiences and progress for children. Where improvements are needed, leaders and managers take timely and effective action.
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Inconsistent quality of service delivery adversely affects children’s experiences and limits their progress. Leaders and managers must make improvements.
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Serious or widespread weaknesses lead to significant concerns about the experiences and progress of children. Leaders and managers must take urgent action to address failings.
Respondents will also be asked to share views on proposals to give two working days’ notice of inspection to providers and plans for inspectors to consider the overall experiences and progress of children in supported accommodation, how well children are helped and protected and the effectiveness of leaders and managers.
The consultation will run until 8 September with a version aimed specifically at young people set to be published on 19 July.
The regulation of supported accommodation for older teenagers in care by Ofsted began in April this year following a ban on such settings for under-16s
However, campaigners have called for an outright ban on such settings for all children in care aged up to 18.
