OFSTED - New Regulations for Supported Accommodation
Introduction
From 28 April 2023, supported accommodation providers in England will be able to register with Ofsted.
From October 28, 2023, all providers of supported accommodation will be required to adhere to mandatory national quality standards published by the government.
Compliance to these standards and regulations will be overseen by Ofsted-led registration and inspection.
The Regulations prescribe four Quality Standards which must be met by supported accommodation
: • The leadership and management standard (see regulation 4)
• The protection standard (see regulation 5)
• The accommodation standard (see regulation 6)
• The support standard (see regulation 7)
Yvette Stanley, National Director Regulation and Social Care said: “I am really pleased that we are taking this first step in the regulation of supported accommodation. Supported accommodation can be the right fit for some older looked after children and care leavers who are ready for independence and need varying levels of support. But for too long there hasn’t been any independent oversight of this diverse and growing sector, and the quality of supported accommodation remains far too variable.”
“We are committed to getting the regulatory balance right. We will act sensibly and proportionally, but we will always have high expectations for children. Supported accommodation should be caring, kind and nurturing. We will continue to engage with children, young people, providers and others as we develop our proposals for inspection.”
