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Strengthening Protections in Unregistered Alternative Provision

The Department for Education is addressing the growing use of unregistered children's homes and alternative provision settings, which lack Ofsted inspection and formal safeguarding checks despite being illegal to operate. Numbers of children placed in unregistered accommodation have risen sharply from 147 in 2020–21 to 982 in 2023–24, creating significant child safety risks including vulnerability to exploitation and criminal activity. The policy seeks to strengthen protections, improve local authority accountability, and ensure all children in residential care receive adequate oversight and quality assurance.

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2026

29 events
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will include Previously Looked After Children in the definition of disadvantaged children, in regard to the core eligibility criteria for the Holida

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will include Previously Looked After Children in the definition of disadvantaged children, in regard to the core eligibility criteria for the Holiday Activity and Food programme.

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of record-keeping by Richmond upon Thames Council relating to looked-after children in the 1970s and 198

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she has made an assessment of the adequacy of record-keeping by Richmond upon Thames Council relating to looked-after children in the 1970s and 1980s.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that survivors of historic abuse are supported in a trauma-informed manner when approaching local authorities

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that survivors of historic abuse are supported in a trauma-informed manner when approaching local authorities for (a) information and (b) redress.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many former teachers or headteachers have forfeited their teachers’ pensions under Regulation 121 of the Teachers’ Pension Regulations 2010 or Regulati

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many former teachers or headteachers have forfeited their teachers’ pensions under Regulation 121 of the Teachers’ Pension Regulations 2010 or Regulation 181 of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme Regulation 2014

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the processes used by Richmond upon Thames Council when responding to individuals who come

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has made an assessment of the adequacy of the processes used by Richmond upon Thames Council when responding to individuals who come forward with disclosures relating to historic abuse …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on engaging directly with survivors of historic abuse rather than referring them to externa

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether her Department has issued guidance to local authorities on engaging directly with survivors of historic abuse rather than referring them to external insurance solicitors.

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children have been the victim of a stabbing incident in educational settings in each of the last two academic years for which data is available by

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many children have been the victim of a stabbing incident in educational settings in each of the last two academic years for which data is available by type of setting.

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to SEND tribunal powers on the ability of parents and carers to secure named schoo

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of proposed changes to SEND tribunal powers on the ability of parents and carers to secure named school placements for children with education, …

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of historic safeguarding failures at Grafton Close Children’s Home i

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment her Department has made of the potential implications for her policies of historic safeguarding failures at Grafton Close Children’s Home in Richmond upon Thames.

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29 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that survivors reporting historic abuse in children’s homes receive consistent and transparent engagement fro

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that survivors reporting historic abuse in children’s homes receive consistent and transparent engagement from responsible local authorities.

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28 Apr 2026 | Written question Department for Education linked

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking (a) to ensure that charities operating as member organisations are not precluded from recognition as a body of persons

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking (a) to ensure that charities operating as member organisations are not precluded from recognition as a body of persons and (b) to safeguard children and young …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jan 2026 | Committee report linked

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. Over the last five years, local authorities have reported placing more and more children into unregistered homes. It is illegal to run a children’s home or supported accommodation that is not registered with Ofsted, who cannot routinely inspect these unregistered settings. As such, there is a lack of checks to ensure that children ...

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. Over the last five years, local authorities have reported placing more and more children …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jan 2026 | Committee report linked

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 …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jan 2026 | Committee report linked

Ofsted cannot routinely inspect unregistered homes and local authorities are not obliged to inform Ofsted when they place children in unregistered care, even though it is illegal for providers to operate such homes.22 In such cases there are no formal checks to ensure that children receive high quality care and that they and the wider community are safe. We expressed concerns over the safety of children in unregistered places, including vulnerability to criminal gangs and to sexual exploitati...

Ofsted cannot routinely inspect unregistered homes and local authorities are not obliged to inform Ofsted when they place children in unregistered care, even though it is illegal for providers to operate such homes.22 In such cases there are no formal …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
16 Jan 2026 | Committee report linked

We asked the Association of Directors of Children’s Services how it could possibly be right for any local authority to place children in homes that are not inspected. It described this as a consequence of local authorities having an absolute duty to place young people who needed a home but in some cases no regulated placement being willing to take them. This leads to unregistered placements being the “slightly less unacceptable” of two unacceptable alternatives, the other being a child not ha...

We asked the Association of Directors of Children’s Services how it could possibly be right for any local authority to place children in homes that are not inspected. It described this as a consequence of local authorities having an absolute …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2022

15 events
26 Oct 2022 | Written question Department for Education linked

Independent Report on Hesley Group Children’s Homes

My honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education (Gillian Keegan) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement:Today, the independent child safeguarding practice review panel (‘the Panel’) published phase one findings from its national re... Answer: My honourable friend the …

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15 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The Ministry and HMPPS are relying on a provider to deliver the new secure school model, but the approach they are taking is untested and there are insufficient safeguards in place. The Ministry and HMPPS appointed a provider, Oasis Charitable Trust (Oasis), in July 2019 although Oasis has not previously provided secure accommodation for children. It was only following discussions with the Charity Commission that HMPPS later realised legislation was needed to allow a charity to run a secure s...

The Ministry and HMPPS are relying on a provider to deliver the new secure school model, but the approach they are taking is untested and there are insufficient safeguards in place. The Ministry and HMPPS appointed a provider, Oasis Charitable …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
15 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The secure school will be registered as an SCH, although, designed with 49 places, it will be significantly bigger than a SCH.71 One consequence of its registration as a SCH is that the manager could refuse to accept a particular child. We asked the Ministry and HMPPS how they are managing the risk of children being refused a place. HMPPS told us that it is working in partnership with Oasis to agree the criteria on use of places. It expects the secure school to take a broad range of children ...

The secure school will be registered as an SCH, although, designed with 49 places, it will be significantly bigger than a SCH.71 One consequence of its registration as a SCH is that the manager could refuse to accept a particular …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

It is welcome that the Department has announced a further year of funding for the extension of Virtual School Head duties to include all children with a social worker. Children with a social worker face significant barriers to education, but unlike looked-after children, have not had the benefit of a Virtual School Head to champion their progress and outcomes. Virtual School Heads will be able to make a difference by intervening early in the child’s life to address barriers to poor education ...

It is welcome that the Department has announced a further year of funding for the extension of Virtual School Head duties to include all children with a social worker. Children with a social worker face significant barriers to education, but …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The new Virtual School Head duty to promote the education of children with a social worker must be given a statutory footing by 2023, with statutory guidance to accompany this. The statutory powers of Directors of Children’s Services towards the education of children with a social worker should be delegated to the Virtual School Head. Local authorities must be held accountable via Ofsted for allocating education funding for children with a social worker, and tracking its impact on their educa...

The new Virtual School Head duty to promote the education of children with a social worker must be given a statutory footing by 2023, with statutory guidance to accompany this. The statutory powers of Directors of Children’s Services towards the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The School Admissions Code is not working in the interests of looked-after children. The admissions system is weighted in favour of schools, and against the interests of looked-after pupils. The absence of sanctions means it is a risk-free process for schools to refuse to admit a looked-after child. This enables some schools to take an adversarial stance against admitting looked-after children without facing any consequences.

The School Admissions Code is not working in the interests of looked-after children. The admissions system is weighted in favour of schools, and against the interests of looked-after pupils. The absence of sanctions means it is a risk-free process for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

Under section 497 of the Education Act 1996, the Secretary of State has the power to take legal action against local authorities who are not meeting their statutory duties 46 Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let down and what to do about it relating to the provision of education. The Department must provide clearer guidance setting out how it will identify and sanction local authorities who are breaking the law in failing to secure school places for their looked...

Under section 497 of the Education Act 1996, the Secretary of State has the power to take legal action against local authorities who are not meeting their statutory duties 46 Educational poverty: how children in residential care have been let …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

We have highlighted the need for clear sanctions for schools who refuse to admit looked-after pupils, enforced through the impact on the school’s Ofsted judgement. We have also highlighted the need for much quicker decisions to be made by the Schools Adjudicator when the admissions code is breached. And the new backstop power set out in the White Paper would give local authorities the power to automatically place a child in an academy. Together, these measures would tilt the system in favour ...

We have highlighted the need for clear sanctions for schools who refuse to admit looked-after pupils, enforced through the impact on the school’s Ofsted judgement. We have also highlighted the need for much quicker decisions to be made by the …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

Research by Ofsted has identified that of a sample of 2,600 children living in children’s homes, 9% of children in residential care are receiving ‘education’ in unregulated settings, and a further 6% are not in education, employment or training. The true picture may be even worse. We’ve heard concerns that even the Department does not know how many looked-after children not in school, and that its current processes for tracking the education of looked-after children are insufficient.

Research by Ofsted has identified that of a sample of 2,600 children living in children’s homes, 9% of children in residential care are receiving ‘education’ in unregulated settings, and a further 6% are not in education, employment or training. The …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

All looked-after children should be receiving full-time education in a DfE registered school—it is unacceptable for local authorities to settle for unregulated education provision as an alternative.

All looked-after children should be receiving full-time education in a DfE registered school—it is unacceptable for local authorities to settle for unregulated education provision as an alternative. Type: conclusion | Number: 26 | Paragraph: 66 | Response status: under_consideration Government …

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8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The 2022 Schools White Paper proposes a new statutory framework to govern children’s movements to ensure that education placements are made in the child’s best interests, especially where the child is vulnerable. Looked-after children, who are particularly at risk of moving between schools and missing education, must be prioritised within this new framework.

The 2022 Schools White Paper proposes a new statutory framework to govern children’s movements to ensure that education placements are made in the child’s best interests, especially where the child is vulnerable. Looked-after children, who are particularly at risk of …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

The 2022 Schools Bill sets out a new duty for local authorities to maintain a register of children not in school. Alongside this, the Department must issue guidance to clearly outline how it will hold Directors of Children’s Services to account where the looked- after children they are responsible for are not in school.

The 2022 Schools Bill sets out a new duty for local authorities to maintain a register of children not in school. Alongside this, the Department must issue guidance to clearly outline how it will hold Directors of Children’s Services to …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

As part of the proposed register of children not in school, the Department must set out how it will collect and publish data on how many looked-after children are falling through the gaps by missing education or being ‘educated’ in unregulated education provision. This data should form part of a regular statistical release, published at minimum, annually.

As part of the proposed register of children not in school, the Department must set out how it will collect and publish data on how many looked-after children are falling through the gaps by missing education or being ‘educated’ in …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

Before the start of the next academic year—at the very latest—the Department should issue robust guidance on how the section 19 duty on local authorities to provide children with a suitable full-time education should be fulfilled by local authorities. Where local authorities are failing to discharge this duty, the sanction should be in the form of limiting their Ofsted rating.

Before the start of the next academic year—at the very latest—the Department should issue robust guidance on how the section 19 duty on local authorities to provide children with a suitable full-time education should be fulfilled by local authorities. Where …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
8 Jul 2022 | Committee report linked

All looked-after children must have an independent advocate whose function is to champion their best interests, ensuring they are admitted to the best, most appropriate schools, and that they are fully supported to appeal to SEND tribunals where their Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan does not meet their needs. Virtual School Heads should play a key role here, advocating for the child’s needs to be identified, understood and met, ensuring that the child’s EHC Plan is appropriate, and wher...

All looked-after children must have an independent advocate whose function is to champion their best interests, ensuring they are admitted to the best, most appropriate schools, and that they are fully supported to appeal to SEND tribunals where their Education, …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2021

2 events
26 Jul 2021 | Committee report linked

Some children in those illegal schools prosecuted so far have been nominally home educated, with families misled by providers. Without the consistent and robust data on children outside school that a register could provide, we cannot know the true impact of off-rolling and illegal schools on children nominally receiving EHE. We welcome the Government and Ofsted’s efforts to clamp down on unregistered schools and await the outcome of the consultation on independent educational institutions wit...

Some children in those illegal schools prosecuted so far have been nominally home educated, with families misled by providers. Without the consistent and robust data on children outside school that a register could provide, we cannot know the true impact …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
26 May 2021 | Committee report linked

We asked the Department whether its definition of ‘vulnerable children’ remained relevant in light of the pandemic. The Department explained that two elements of the definition that it used to decide who could access a school place—children with a social worker or an EHC plan—were fixed. But the definition also included an important third category, which was those children whom schools considered vulnerable in other regards. This allowed schools flexibility to take account of factors such as ...

We asked the Department whether its definition of ‘vulnerable children’ remained relevant in light of the pandemic. The Department explained that two elements of the definition that it used to decide who could access a school place—children with a social …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK