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Changes to our SCCIF guidance to improve stability for vulnerable children

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Next month, we will be making a small number of changes to our social care common inspection framework (SCCIF). These are mainly aimed at children’s homes and fostering agencies. The changes are intended to encourage more providers to look after …

The ILACS framework – what’s changing and why?

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: care leavers, children's services, inspection framework, local authorities
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In December 2024, we updated the inspecting local authority children's services (ILACS) framework. This blog will discuss why we’re making these changes, the reviews that informed them, and how we are responding to your feedback. Why we updated the framework …

Our response to the government's social care reform proposals

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The Department for Education (DfE) has published a policy paper on its proposals to reform children’s social care. This is a significant opportunity for the government, the sector and Ofsted to better serve the nation’s most vulnerable children. We have …

Supported accommodation – it can be right for some older children, but not for all

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Ahead of inspections starting next month, Yvette Stanley gives an update on our registration work and sets out some ‘red lines’ when considering supported accommodation as an option for looked-after children and care leavers. Ofsted’s registration of supported accommodation providers …

Providing good experiences for children with complex needs

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***Update: we have also released a podcast on this topic*** In January, we published a new research report on children with complex needs in children’s homes. The report was based on a national survey of local authorities and children’s home …

The importance of good planning for children moving on from the secure estate

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: local authorities, secure children's home, secure estate, secure training centres
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Effective planning for when children move on from secure provision is vital. Our role The children’s secure estate is a very important part of Ofsted’s work. Within Ofsted’s remit there are 13 secure children’s homes (SCH) and one secure training …

How the children’s social care reforms will affect inspection

The Department for Education (DfE) has published several documents as part of the children’s social care reforms: The National Framework and Children’s Social Care (CSC) dashboard Working Together to Safeguard Children (‘Working Together’) The kinship strategy A data and digital …

Ofsted's response to Stable Homes, Built on Love

Ofsted’s consultation response Last month Ofsted submitted its response to the government’s consultation Stable Homes, Built on Love. I am sure many of you did the same. There’s a lot in the proposals that we welcome. With additional resources and …