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<p>The information requested is not held centrally.</p><p>Information on the placements
of children looked-after is collected annually and published in the statistical release
“Children looked after in England (including adoptions): 2017 to 2018”. The latest
release is available on the department’s statistical web page at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-looked-after-in-england-including-adoption-2017-to-2018</a>.
Previous releases can be located here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/statistics-looked-after-children</a>.</p><p>Any
child specifically placed in unregistered provision could be reported across a number
of placement categories, but not exclusively in any, so we can not estimate the number
of children placed within unregistered homes.</p><p>Unregulated accommodation can
be the right option for some older children in care and care leavers aged 16 or 17,
providing a stepping-stone towards moving into an independent tenancy.</p><p>However,
I want a better understanding of the use of this type of provision and have commissioned
a piece of research to understand the issues related to the use of unregistered and
unregulated provision. Sir Alan Wood, in his role as chair of the Residential Care
Leadership Board, will oversee this work, which will develop our understanding of
the reasons for local authorities placing children in these settings and their quality.
I visited some unregulated provision on 23 May to further my knowledge of this type
of accommodation.</p><p>In May, I wrote to all Directors of Children’s Services asking
them to ensure that the accommodation they use is suitable; and to ensure that young
people are getting the support they need.</p><p>I take providing appropriate support
to young people in care and leaving care very seriously. That is why the government
is funding local authorities to implement ‘Staying Put’, which allows care leavers
to stay with their foster carer up to the age of 21, and piloting ‘Staying Closer’
in 8 local authorities, which provides an enhanced support offer for young people
leaving residential care.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
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