In recent years, the number of children reported to Ofsted as being placed in unregistered homes at some point each year rose significantly, from 147 during 2020–21 to 982 during 2023–24.20 More recently, the Children’s Commissioner found that as at September 2024, 775 children were in unregistered accommodation—around 10% of all children in residential care at that point on time—with the mean length of their placements longer than six months (185 days).21

In recent years, the number of children reported to Ofsted as being placed in unregistered homes at some point each year rose significantly, from 147 during 2020–21 to 982 during 2023–24.20 More recently, the Children’s Commissioner found that as at September 2024, 775 children were in unregistered accommodation—around 10% of all children in residential care at that point on time—with the mean length of their placements longer than six months (185 days).21 Type: conclusion | Number: 10 | Response status: response_pending Government response: 2. PAC conclusion: It is unacceptable that children are placed in illegal settings that are not inspected, increasing safety risks and offering no assurance over the quality of care.