Ofsted annual report points to the increasing number of children being placed in unregistered settings

The latest annual Ofsted report on Children’s Services and skills has highlighted problems being caused by increasing demand and limited supply in the provision of children’s social care.

Shortages in children’s home places, foster care availability and resources for SEND and mental illness are said to remain and “frequently, children do not have the right provision available locally, so an increasing number are ending up in unregistered placements, often deprived of liberty or living too far from home.”

The report continues “Unregistered homes represent a significant issue. Last year, we identified 370 such premises that were operating illegally. Most closed when they were challenged.”

Ofsted’s director of regulation and social care, Yvette Stanley, also called for “a better range of options for children currently on deprivation of liberty orders so they experience safe care with no more restrictions on their lives than are properly needed.”

Read the full report here.