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Ofsted registration for children's social care

Ofsted registration for supported accommodation, children's homes and fostering agencies

Ofsted registration is the legal approval you need before you run a children's social care service in England. You apply online on an SC1 form, everyone with a key role completes an SC2, and Ofsted checks your suitability, visits your premises and interviews your manager before it decides. Ofsted's own fee is £2,006 to £5,520, plus £910 for most managers, and you cannot take a child or young person until you are registered.

We help new providers get there: the right service model, your statement of purpose and policies, premises checks, the SC1 and SC2, and mock interviews for your manager and responsible or nominated individual. We work only in health and social care, so we can run CQC registration alongside if you also support adults.

Book a consultationSee the 2026 Ofsted fees0333 577 0877
A support worker helping a young person with paperwork on a laptop

1,220

supported accommodation providers were registered with Ofsted on 31 March 2026, up 37% in a year, alongside 4,750 children's homes.

How long registration takes

Ofsted registration in 30 seconds

Checked against GOV.UK on

Who must register
Children's homes, independent fostering agencies and supported accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17. Running any of them unregistered is an offence.
What Ofsted charges
£2,006 to £5,520 to apply, plus £910 for the manager in most services, then an annual fee from £3,658. Fees rose on 1 April 2026.
How long it takes
Several months. Priority children's homes are generally decided within 6 months; other children's home applications join a waiting list with no set timeframe.
The forms
An SC1 for the provider and an SC2 for each manager, responsible or nominated individual, director and partner, all completed online.
Can you open while you wait
No. A submission reference or URN is not permission to operate. You can take your first young person only once you are registered.
Childminder or nursery?
You register on Ofsted's Early Years or Childcare Register instead, with different forms and fees. Start with Ofsted's childcare guidance on GOV.UK.

Which Ofsted registration do you need?

Ofsted registers each kind of children's service under its own regulations, with its own standards, fees and rules on who can manage it. Getting the service model right first saves months, because a mismatch is one of the reasons applications are refused.

  • Supported accommodation

    Housing and support for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17, placed by a council.

    Provides
    Support to build independent living skills, not care
    The law
    Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023
    Standards
    4 quality standards and 8 underpinning principles
    Categories
    Single occupancy, shared ring-fenced, shared non-ring-fenced and supported lodgings
    Key people
    A registered service manager, and a nominated individual who completes an SC2
    Manager experience
    2 years' relevant experience in the last 5, not necessarily residential

  • Children's home

    Care and accommodation for children, usually under 18, in a home run by your organisation.

    Provides
    Care, with staff on duty around the clock
    The law
    Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015
    Standards
    9 quality standards, from quality and purpose of care to care planning
    Also needed
    A location assessment, then monthly independent visits under regulation 44
    Key people
    A registered manager and a responsible individual
    Manager experience
    2 years in residential childcare and 1 year supervising, in the last 5, plus the Level 5 Diploma within 3 years
    Children's home regulations explained

  • Independent fostering agency

    An agency that recruits, assesses, approves and supports foster carers for councils.

    Provides
    Foster placements through your approved carers
    The law
    Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011 and the National Minimum Standards
    Standards
    Fostering Services National Minimum Standards
    Also needed
    A fostering panel, carer assessment and supervision arrangements
    Key people
    A registered manager and a responsible individual
    Manager experience
    Level 4 social work or professional and management qualifications, or achieved within 3 years, and 2 years' fostering experience

The line between support and care

Supported accommodation can help a young person with budgeting, cooking, education and their health, but it cannot provide care. If your model includes care, such as personal care or round the clock supervision, Ofsted may decide you need to register as a children's home, whatever the age of the young people. We check your model against that line before you commit to premises or staff.

Not on this list?

  • Supporting adults aged 18 or over? Supported living is regulated by the CQC, not Ofsted. CQC registration
  • Supported lodgings in a host's home is one of the four supported accommodation categories, so it registers as supported accommodation.
  • Childminders, nurseries and holiday clubs register on the Early Years or Childcare Register, which we do not cover.

Ofsted registration fees in 2026

Ofsted's fees rose by up to 20% on 1 April 2026. You pay the registration fee once Ofsted has acknowledged your application, it is not refundable, and an annual fee follows for every year you are registered.

  • Children's home, 3 or fewer places

    To register
    £2,006
    Manager
    None
    Each year
    £5,390

  • Children's home, 4 or more places

    To register
    £3,284
    Manager
    £910
    Each year
    £5,390 plus £536 a place for places 4 to 8; £8,267 for 9 or more

  • Multi-building children's home

    To register
    £4,780
    Manager
    £910
    Each year
    From £8,085

  • Independent fostering agency

    To register
    £3,284
    Manager
    £910
    Each year
    £3,658

  • Supported accommodation, fewer than 10 premises

    To register
    £4,320
    Manager
    £910
    Each year
    £3,888

  • Supported accommodation, 10 or more premises

    To register
    £5,520
    Manager
    £910
    Each year
    £4,320

Worked example

A 4-bed children's home

£4,194

to apply: £3,284 for the home plus £910 for the manager. Then £5,926 a year.

Worked example

Supported accommodation with 3 premises

£5,230

to apply: £4,320 for the service plus £910 for the manager. Then £3,888 a year.

Ofsted's fees are not ours

You pay these directly to Ofsted. Adding premises or a category later is a variation: £303 for supported accommodation and £334 for a children's home or fostering agency. Our support is a separate fixed fee, agreed after your consultation.

What our support includes

Sources: Ofsted, registration fees and annual fees for children's social care services, updated 1 April 2026. Childcare and early years fees are different. Checked 16 October 2026.

Some of the providers we have worked with

Step by step

How to register with Ofsted in 7 steps, and what we do at each

Ofsted runs registration in three stages: the application, information gathering, then the visit and decision. Before any of that comes the preparation that decides how smoothly it goes. The steps are the same for supported accommodation, children's homes and fostering agencies.

The numbers that set the pace

Typical wait for a decision
Several months
To send missing information
12 weeks
Decision after the interviews
7 working days
To answer a proposal to refuse
28 days
A new provider planning a children's service with two advisersStage 1 of 4

Steps 1 to 2

Prepare your service

  1. Choose the registration and service model

    Decide whether you will offer support or care, to which ages and, for supported accommodation, in which of the four categories. That choice sets the regulations you work under, Ofsted's fees and the people you need to recruit.

    We check your model against Ofsted's line between support and care before you spend on premises.

  2. Premises, people and documents

    Secure premises, with planning permission where it is needed, and appoint a manager who meets the experience rules. Write your statement of purpose, policies, business plan and cash flow forecast. A children's home also needs a location assessment, and a fostering agency its panel arrangements.

    Your statement of purpose is written for your service, not lifted from a template.

A new provider working through her application documents at a deskStage 2 of 4

Steps 3 to 4

Apply

  1. Submit the SC1

    The provider completes the SC1 on Ofsted's online forms and uploads the statement of purpose and supporting documents, each 2MB or smaller. You then receive a 14-character submission reference, such as ABCD-1234-1234.

    We review every answer and document before you press submit.

  2. Link the SC2s and pay the fee

    Your manager, responsible or nominated individual, and each director or partner complete an SC2 using that reference. Ofsted asks for the fee once the application is complete, then issues a URN. A URN does not mean you can operate.

    A missing or late SC2 is one of the commonest reasons an application stalls.

A provider checking references and certificates before sending them to OfstedStage 3 of 4

Step 5

Checks

  1. DBS, references, health and council checks

    Everyone named needs an enhanced DBS check for the child workforce, on the DBS update service within 30 days of issue. Ofsted takes two references, the first from your most recent employer, asks for a self-declared health form and checks with councils where you lived in the last 5 years.

    If information is still missing 12 weeks after you pay, Ofsted can close the application with no refund.

Staff and young people around the table in a shared homeStage 4 of 4

Steps 6 to 7

Visit and decision

  1. The registration visit and interviews

    An inspector visits, usually over 1 to 2 days, and must see at least one bedroom, the bathrooms, the kitchen and communal areas. They interview your manager and usually your responsible or nominated individual, and sometimes directors. Bring original DBS certificates and identity documents.

    We run mock interviews on the regulations, safeguarding and your own statement of purpose.

  2. Ofsted's decision

    The regional manager usually decides within 7 working days of the interviews. If Ofsted proposes to refuse, you have 28 days to send representations, and that cannot be extended. A final refusal can be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal within 28 days.

    Tell us early if the inspector raises concerns: there is more room to fix things before a notice is issued.

Steps follow Ofsted's registration guidance for supported accommodation, children's homes and independent fostering agencies on GOV.UK, checked 16 October 2026.

How long Ofsted registration takes in 2026

Ofsted is dealing with record numbers of applications. Plan for several months from submission to decision, and do not sign a lease or recruit a full team on the assumption it will be quicker. Here is what Ofsted itself says for each service.

  • Children's homes

    Within 6 months if prioritised

    Ofsted generally decides priority applications within 6 months. Priority goes to homes with Department for Education capital funding, homes for unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, children on a deprivation of liberty order in unregistered care, and exceptional local need confirmed by the council. Other applications join a waiting list with no set timeframe.

  • Supported accommodation

    Several months

    Ofsted says applications are taking longer than usual because of high demand, and it is likely to be several months before you receive a decision. There is no prioritisation policy for supported accommodation. Manager applications are dealt with in the order they arrive.

  • Independent fostering agencies

    Several months

    There is no prioritisation for fostering agencies either. Inspectors also look at your fostering panel members and arrangements, alongside the usual checks, visit and interviews, so a complete application matters.

Ofsted registration in numbers

Registered providers in England on 31 March 2026.

  • 1,220

    supported accommodation providers, up 37% in a year, with 330 newly registered

  • 4,750

    children's homes with 16,200 places; new homes average 3 places

  • 340

    independent fostering agencies, up 1%

  • About 350

    social care applications withdrawn, refused or closed in 2025 to 2026

Why Ofsted applications are delayed or refused

These come from Ofsted's registration guidance and the problems we see most often. Each one is avoidable with preparation.

  • Information not sent within 12 weeks of paying the fee

    We build the full document set before you apply, so nothing is chased later.

  • References or SC2s held up, or a named person leaves

    We line up referees and every SC2 in advance, with a back-up plan for key roles.

  • Planning permission or property problems

    We check the premises, planning position and location before you commit.

  • A manager without the right experience

    We test your manager against the experience rules for your service type early.

  • A statement of purpose that does not match the service

    We write it around your categories, staffing and young people, then check it against the regulations.

  • A support service that is really providing care

    We settle the service model first, so you apply for the registration Ofsted will accept.

Sources: Ofsted, registering children's homes: prioritising applications (2 July 2026); supported accommodation service registration policy (17 September 2026); Children's social care in England 2026 (30 July 2026); Ofsted Annual Report 2025 to 2026.

What Ofsted looks for before it registers you

At registration, Ofsted is deciding whether your service can meet the standards from day one. Your statement of purpose, policies and interview answers all need to show how. These are the standards for each service.

Supported accommodation

Four quality standards:

  • Leadership and management
  • Protection
  • Accommodation
  • Support

Eight principles, written with care-experienced young people:

  1. I feel safe and secure
  2. My voice is respected and heard
  3. Skilled adults who work together
  4. My own space and stable accommodation
  5. Support tailored to my health and wellbeing
  6. Trusting relationships
  7. Skills for independent living
  8. Positive about my future

Children's homes

Nine quality standards:

  • Quality and purpose of care
  • Children's views, wishes and feelings
  • Education
  • Enjoyment and achievement
  • Health and well-being
  • Positive relationships
  • Protection of children
  • Leadership and management
  • Care planning

Independent fostering agencies

The National Minimum Standards cover areas including:

  • The child's wishes, feelings and identity
  • Safeguarding and promoting health and education
  • Recruiting, assessing and approving foster carers
  • Supervising, training and supporting carers
  • The fostering panel and decision maker
  • Leadership, management and records

What our Ofsted registration support includes

Use us for the whole journey, from the first idea to your first inspection, or only for the parts you need. You submit the application and Ofsted makes the decision; we make sure what you send, and what you say at interview, is ready.

  • Service model check

    Which registration you need, which supported accommodation categories, and whether anything you plan crosses from support into care.

  • Business plan and cash flow

    A business plan and cash flow forecast that show Ofsted the service is financially sound, built on your real staffing and occupancy.

  • Statement of purpose and guides

    Your statement of purpose and the children's or young person's guide, written for your service and matched to the regulations.

  • Policies and procedures

    Safeguarding, missing children, behaviour support, complaints, allegations and the rest, tailored to your service and local procedures.

  • Premises and location

    A check of each property against the accommodation standard, plus the location assessment a children's home needs.

  • SC1 and SC2 applications

    We prepare the SC1 with you and guide each manager, responsible or nominated individual and director through their SC2.

  • Mock registration interviews

    Practice interviews for your manager and responsible or nominated individual, with written feedback on every answer.

  • After registration

    Regulation 44 and 45 visits and reviews, six-monthly reviews in supported accommodation, notifications and your first inspection.

How our fee works

A fixed fee, agreed after your consultation

Every service is different: the type of registration, how many premises or places, and how much you want us to do. We agree a fixed fee once we understand your plans, so there are no surprises. Ofsted's own fees are separate and paid directly to Ofsted.

Book a consultationAlso supporting adults? CQC registration

What is changing in 2026 and 2027

If you register this year, you will be inspected under new rules soon after. These are the changes a new provider should plan for now.

  • New powers over children's home and fostering groups

    The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 lets Ofsted require an improvement plan from the parent company of a failing children's home or fostering agency, brings in financial oversight of the largest providers and gives government a power to cap profits. The profit cap does not apply to supported accommodation.

  • A new way of grading inspections

    Ofsted consulted until 28 September 2026 on replacing its grades with a five-point scale, from urgent improvement to exceptional, with report cards. The changes would be phased in from spring 2027 to spring 2028, and they cover supported accommodation too, so a service registering now will meet them at its early inspections.

  • Supported accommodation inspections

    Inspections end in one of three outcomes. Outcome 1 means the next inspection in about 3 years, outcome 2 in about 18 months and outcome 3 in about 6 months. Of the first 210 providers with a full outcome, 45% reached outcome 1.

  • Fees reviewed every year

    Ofsted moved fees closer to its full costs on 1 April 2026 and will review them again for April 2027. Rises of 20% or less no longer need a consultation, so budget for another increase.

Once registered, councils buy many placements through frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems.

Children's services tenders

Sources: Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026; Ofsted, improving the way Ofsted inspects children's social care (consultation, 2026); SCCIF: supported accommodation (1 April 2026); Children's social care in England 2026; Explanatory Memorandum to SI 2026/153.

Client reviews

What care providers say about working with us

Care providers describe working with us, in their own words, on Trustpilot and Google.

Trustpilot

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  • First of all i want to give Millicent…

    First of all i want to give Millicent her flowers. I recently became a registered manager ( OLIVE BRANCH CARE & SUPPORT LTD) because of her. She knows her stuff, she takes you through the whole process, the Q&A with encouragement and guidance. I am usually a nerve wreck, but I made it. I couldn't not have wished for a better person than her. THANK YOU MILLICENT. YOU ARE THE BEST.

    Audrey Eastwood

    3 October 2026

    Read full review by Audrey Eastwood on Trustpilot

  • Excellent Support Throughout Our CQC Registration Journey

    Care Sync Experts provided excellent support throughout our CQC registration journey for Tailored Healthcare 4 You Limited. The team was professional, knowledgeable and very supportive throughout the process. They provided valuable guidance with our application, policies, supporting documents and preparation for the CQC registration process. What I particularly appreciated was their willingness to answer questions, explain requirements clearly and provide support whenever we needed clarification. Their guidance helped us navigate what can be a detailed and demanding registration process with greater confidence. We are very grateful for their contribution towards the successful CQC registration of our company and would happily recommend Care Sync Experts to other care providers looking for professional CQC registration support. Thank you to the entire team for your continued support.

    Philip

    3 September 2026

    Read full review by Philip on Trustpilot

  • Thanks to Care Sync Experts

    Care Sync Experts supported with well tailored documentations for the CQC application, good prep/training for the CQC interview and prompt communication throughout the CQC registration stages which led to the success of Novaedge application I had an excellent experience working with Care Sync Experts on my CQC registration application. From the very beginning, their team demonstrated exceptional professionalism, knowledge, and commitment to ensuring my application met the required CQC standards. They provided clear guidance throughout the entire process, helped me prepare all the necessary documentation, and ensured I was fully ready for every stage of the application. Their attention to detail, prompt communication, and willingness to answer every question gave me confidence and made what could have been a stressful process much smoother. I truly appreciated their personalised support and expertise. Thanks to their dedication, I felt well-prepared throughout my CQC registration journey. I would confidently recommend Care Sync Experts to anyone seeking reliable and professional support with CQC registration and healthcare compliance.

    Novaedge Services Limited

    25 July 2026

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  • The Experience that I have had with…care sync was a 5 star experience

    The Experience that I have had with Care Sync experts is so excellent and effortless. Care sync experts assisted me with the CQC registration of my company. It was a 5 star experience. Coming from a healthcare background myself, I worked with a group of dedicated experts who knows what there are doing. I will like to thank Colin who handled my registration process with the Care sync expert team in such a way that the process looked so simple.

    E. Lustre

    21 July 2026

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  • Care Sync Experts are reliable

    Care Sync Experts are reliable, honest and operate with integrity. All the staff are knowledgeable and supportive whenever you need guidance. I recommend them for all those loking for CQC support services.

    customer

    12 June 2026

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  • I am genuinely grateful that I chose Care Sync

    I am genuinely grateful that I chose Care Sync Experts to support me in establishing my domiciliary care company, Precious Care. From my very first conversation with them, it was clear that they truly understood my needs. Their knowledge, expertise, and professionalism were evident from the start—they really do live up to their name. The support provided to me and my wider team was exceptional and truly limitless. No matter how small the question, they were always available, approachable, and ready to help. From day one, Millicent and Collins made us feel valued and important. Speaking with them felt like talking to people I had known for years—warm, reassuring, and always willing to go the extra mile. Every phone call ended with clarity and confidence. Millicent’s guidance, training, and ongoing support were outstanding and made the entire process smooth and stress‑free. Without hesitation, I would recommend Care Sync Experts as the go‑to professionals for anyone seeking EXPERT support in this field.

    PN

    27 March 2026

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  • CQC interview confidence building

    I found the material I was given very informative. This helped build my confidence during my CQC interview preparation. The staff responded to my inquiries timeously

    Lilian Muzorewa

    23 February 2026

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  • 100% Support: How Care Sync Experts Made Our CQC Certification A Reality

    I couldn’t be more grateful for Care Sync experts exceptional support during our CQC interview presentations. From the very beginning, Millicent and Collins were not only professional but also incredibly approachable and dedicated. Every time we needed assistance, they were right there ready to help with guidance, expert advice, and all the information required to ensure our success. When our interview dates kept changing, Care Sync flexibility truly set them apart. They rescheduled sessions without hesitation and even provided extra sessions, going far beyond what we had paid for. Their unwavering commitment was a crucial factor in us achieving our CQC certification. Thanks to their 100% support, Victory Growth Care Services is now proudly registered with CQC. I wholeheartedly recommend Care Sync expats for anyone looking for top-notch, dependable support in navigating the complexities of CQC interviews. Their team truly makes a difference!

    Shaz K

    12 February 2025

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  • Outstanding Tender Writing Services

    I recently used Care Sync Experts for the first time to complete a tender, and I am thrilled to say that they won it for me! Their team is absolutely brilliant. They took care of everything with professionalism and expertise, making the whole process smooth and successful. I would 100% recommend Care Sync Experts to any provider looking for someone to write their tender. Their work is of a high standard, and I couldn’t be happier with the results.

    Vivian Owusu

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  • Outstanding Service and Exceptional Results!

    I had the pleasure of working with Care Sync Experts for various projects, including website development, tender submissions, and branding materials such as brochures and leaflets. From start to finish, their professionalism and attention to detail have been nothing short of remarkable. They designed and developed my website with a keen understanding of my needs, creating a sleek, user-friendly platform that perfectly represents my brand. But they didn't stop there, their expertise in handling tenders is unparalleled. Of the six tenders they managed for me, they won five. This impressive success rate speaks volumes about their strategic approach and deep industry knowledge. I highly recommend Care Sync Experts to anyone looking for top notch services in web development, tender management, and branding. They have truly elevated my business, and I look forward to continuing our partnership!

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Ofsted registration FAQs

Last reviewed

Ofsted registration is the legal approval you need from Ofsted before you run a children's social care service in England, such as a children's home, an independent fostering agency or supported accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17. The provider applies on an SC1 form, each person with a key role completes an SC2, and Ofsted checks suitability, visits the premises and interviews the manager before it decides. Childminders and nurseries register on Ofsted's Early Years or Childcare Register instead.
You apply online in three stages. First, the provider submits the SC1 and every manager, responsible or nominated individual, director and partner submits an SC2, then you pay the fee. Second, Ofsted gathers information: DBS checks, two references, a health declaration and checks with councils where you lived in the last 5 years. Third, an inspector visits the premises and interviews your manager and responsible or nominated individual, and Ofsted usually decides within 7 working days of the interviews.
From 1 April 2026, Ofsted charges £2,006 to register a children's home with 3 or fewer places and £3,284 for 4 or more places, £3,284 for an independent fostering agency, and £4,320 for supported accommodation with fewer than 10 premises or £5,520 for 10 or more. Most services also pay £910 to register the manager. Annual fees follow: £5,390 upwards for a children's home, £3,658 for a fostering agency and £3,888 or £4,320 for supported accommodation. Childcare fees are different.
Yes, if you run a children's home, an independent fostering agency or supported accommodation for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17 in England. Running one of these services without registration is an offence under the Care Standards Act 2000, and councils must not place children in unregistered supported accommodation. Most childcare for children under 8 also needs registration, unless an exemption applies.
Usually several months. Ofsted generally decides children's home applications that meet its priority criteria within 6 months; other children's home applications join a waiting list with no set timeframe. For supported accommodation and fostering agencies, Ofsted says it is likely to be several months before you receive a decision. Applications move fastest when every SC2, reference and document is in from the start.
An inspector visits your premises, usually over 1 to 2 days, and must see at least one bedroom, the bathrooms, the kitchen and communal areas. They interview the proposed manager and usually the responsible or nominated individual, and sometimes directors, about the regulations, safeguarding, your statement of purpose and how you will run the service. Bring your original DBS certificates and identity documents. The regional manager then decides, usually within 7 working days.
Choose the categories you will provide, appoint a registered service manager with 2 years' relevant experience in the last 5 and a nominated individual, write your statement of purpose and policies, then submit an SC1 for the organisation and an SC2 for each key person on Ofsted's online forms. You pay £4,320 or £5,520 plus £910 for the manager. Ofsted then checks, visits and interviews before deciding. You cannot accommodate a young person until you are registered.
Supported accommodation is for looked-after children and care leavers aged 16 and 17 who need support, not care. It is regulated under the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 and comes in four categories: single occupancy, shared ring-fenced, shared non-ring-fenced and supported lodgings in a host's home. Providers must meet four quality standards, covering leadership and management, protection, accommodation and support, and reflect eight underpinning principles.
The SC1 is the provider's application for the service: the organisation, the premises, the statement of purpose and supporting documents. The SC2 is for each individual connected to it: the manager, the responsible individual or nominated individual, and every director or partner. Submitting the SC1 gives you a 14-character submission reference, such as ABCD-1234-1234, which each person uses to link their SC2 to your application.
No. Running a children's home, fostering agency or supported accommodation service while your application is being processed is still an offence, and a submission reference or URN does not mean you can operate. You can accept your first child or young person only once Ofsted has sent your notice of registration.
For a children's home, 2 years in a relevant residential childcare role and 1 year supervising staff, both within the last 5 years, plus the Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare within 3 years of starting. For supported accommodation, 2 years' relevant experience within the last 5, which does not have to be residential. For a fostering agency, a level 4 social work or professional qualification and a level 4 management qualification, or achieving them within 3 years, with 2 years' fostering experience.
Supported accommodation gives 16 and 17 year olds housing and support to build independent living skills, but not care, under the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023. A children's home provides care and accommodation under the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and its nine quality standards. If your service provides care, Ofsted may require you to register as a children's home whatever the age of the young people.
Ofsted first sends a notice of proposal to refuse. You have 28 days to send written representations, and that period cannot be extended. If Ofsted still refuses, it sends a notice of decision, and you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal within 28 days. A refusal can affect future applications by you or your manager, so it is worth fixing gaps before the visit.
The 2 hour rule applies to childcare, not children's social care. You can only register with Ofsted as a childcare provider if you look after at least one child for 2 hours or more a day, counting only the time children are in your care. Children's homes, fostering agencies and supported accommodation must register whatever the hours.
We charge a fixed fee that we agree with you after a consultation, once we know your service type, how many premises or places you plan and how much of the work you want us to do. Ofsted's own registration and annual fees are separate, and you pay them directly to Ofsted.
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