Service
Ofsted registration support
Help to prepare a children’s home for an application Ofsted can actually assess.
Children’s homes in England are registered with Ofsted under the Care Standards Act 2000 and must meet the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015. The application is the point at which you show that the home, the manager and the responsible individual can care for children safely.
We help you get the service model, the people and the documents into a state you can explain. Ofsted decides whether to register. Our work is the preparation, the coherence of the application, and the conversations that lead up to interview.
Who it is for
- People setting up a children’s home for the first time.
- Providers opening another home and needing the application to stand on its own.
- Proposed registered managers preparing for a fit-person interview.
- Responsible individuals who need a clearer grip of the regulations and the statement of purpose.
What it addresses
- The application describes a home that the building, the staff and the policies do not yet support.
- The proposed manager cannot talk through safeguarding, records and leadership in concrete terms.
- The statement of purpose is generic and does not say which children the home is for.
- The planning position for the building is still unknown.
How the work runs
- Define the home We agree who the home is for, how many children, the model of care, and what “good” will look like on an ordinary Tuesday.
- Test the premises We look at whether the building can support that model, including the planning position, and we say so early if it cannot.
- Prepare the core documents Statement of purpose, children’s guide, and the policies that have to match the model. These are drafted around your home, not pasted from a template.
- Prepare the people The proposed registered manager and responsible individual rehearse the decisions Ofsted will ask them to explain.
- Submit and respond You apply to Ofsted. We help you answer further questions. The registration decision remains Ofsted’s.
What you need in place
- A proposed premises, or a serious shortlist, and clarity about who will hold the lease or the title.
- A proposed registered manager with relevant experience, and a responsible individual where the provider is an organisation.
- A realistic view of staffing and money through the registration period, when you may have costs before children arrive.
- Willingness to change the model if the building, the manager or the location cannot support it.
What you leave with
- A worked-up service model you can explain in a page.
- Support with the statement of purpose, children’s guide and the policy set the application depends on.
- Interview preparation for the proposed manager and responsible individual.
- A list of gaps still to close before you apply, written so you can see them.
| Children’s home | Adult supported living | |
|---|---|---|
| Regulator in England | Ofsted | CQC, where a regulated activity such as personal care is provided |
| Main framework | Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the social care common inspection framework | Health and Social Care Act 2008 and CQC’s current assessment framework |
| What is usually registered | The children’s home | The regulated activity, often personal care in someone’s home |
| Premises | The home is the regulated setting | Housing is often separate from the care |
| Core documents | Statement of purpose and children’s guide | Statement of purpose suited to the regulated activity |
Time and fees
There is no standard duration. The regulator, the planning authority and the condition of the service all change the timetable. We will describe what we can see, and we will not promise a date.
The fee is agreed once we understand the work. A short review and a full registration are different assignments, so we do not publish one price for every enquiry.
Questions
How long does Ofsted take?
Ofsted publishes its own timescales and they can change. An incomplete application takes longer. We will not quote you a guaranteed registration date.
Do I need a registered manager before I apply?
You need a proposed manager who can satisfy Ofsted’s fitness requirements. Applying without a credible manager is a common reason applications stall.
Will you write the whole application for us?
We draft and challenge the documents with you. You remain the applicant, and you must be able to speak to what you submit.
Can you guarantee registration?
No. Ofsted registers children’s homes. We prepare you to make a coherent application.
Is this the same as supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds?
No. Supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds is a separate Ofsted regime. This page is about children’s homes. If you are unsure which regime applies, ask us before you spend money on the wrong documents.
Next step
If you are still looking for a building, start with property sourcing and planning consultancy. If the building and the manager are identified, we can begin the registration preparation.
Talk to FivewaysRelated
Fiveways Advisory is an independent consultancy. We are not Ofsted, the Care Quality Commission or a local planning authority, and this website is not legal, planning or regulatory advice. We cannot guarantee registration, an inspection judgement or planning permission.