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<p>This government firmly believes that every child in the care system deserves to
live in a high quality home that meets their needs and keeps them safe. The vast majority
of looked after children up to the age of 18 live with foster carers or in a children’s
home. These placements are subject to robust regulatory checks and balances by Ofsted,
to ensure that they meet the needs of children they accommodate and keep them safe.</p><p>When
local authorities make a placement decision, they are responsible for ensuring the
placement is suitable. This includes ensuring staff who will be looking after the
child at the placement are appropriately trained and have the skills needed to meet
the needs of the child and to keep them safe. It is not in accordance with the law
to place a looked after child in a placement that does not meet their needs and keep
them safe, and it is unacceptable for any child or young person to be placed in such
a placement.</p><p>The government is clear that supported accommodation for young
people, also referred to as unregulated provision, can be the right option for some
older children. However, the government is equally clear that the support and accommodation
provided in this provision must always be of high quality, and that the young person
must be ready for the level of independence it promotes. That is why, in December
2021, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, announced that the
government will invest over £142 million across the next three financial years to
fund the introduction of new mandatory national standards, Ofsted registration, and
inspection for these providers.</p><p>This means that all placements accommodating
looked after children and care leavers up to age 18 will now be regulated by Ofsted,
will ensure that local authorities can be confident when making placements in this
provision, and strengthen our ability to take action against poor providers.</p><p>Further
information on the government’s plans to reform this vital area is available here:
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformational-investment-in-childrens-social-care-placements"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transformational-investment-in-childrens-social-care-placements</a>.</p>
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