NYAS welcomes the launch of a public consultation by the Department for Education to introduce new monitoring arrangements which will avoid young people being placed in unregulated children’s homes.
The number of children in care aged 16 or 17 placed in unregulated settings has increased from 2,900 in 2009 to 6,100 in 2019.
Rita Waters, NYAS CEO, responding to the Department for Education’s announcement on children in care living in unregulated accommodation, said:
“It is unacceptable that children as young as 11 are living in unregulated care homes, putting them at risk of abuse. Urgent action is needed to ensure that care experienced children have quality accommodation that meets their needs and keeps them safe.
“We cannot continue to allow children to be placed in unsuitable and unregulated homes where they are more likely to go missing and are vulnerable to exploitation. This type of placement by local authorities has to be stopped without delay and young people protected
“If the accommodation is not good enough for your own child, it is not good enough for a child in care.”
Children in care and care leavers are some of the most vulnerable children and young people in society. Every child and young person should have access to a stable and secure placement in accommodation that can meet their needs and, most importantly, keep them safe. We need to work together to make this happen and deliver the support these vulnerable children and young people deserve.
Respond to the public consultation which proposes greater powers for Ofsted to tackle unregistered children’s homes.
