The UK government has recently announced a ban on unregulated accommodation for young people in care. The move comes after concerns were raised about the safety and well-being of vulnerable young people who were being housed in accommodation that was not subject to any regulation or inspection.
The ban means that from September 2023, it will be illegal for any person or organization to provide accommodation for children in care who are under the age of 16, unless the accommodation is regulated by Ofsted. This includes accommodation provided by private individuals or companies, as well as local authorities.
The decision to ban unregulated accommodation follows a review conducted by the Department for Education, which found that young people living in such accommodations were at a significantly higher risk of exploitation, abuse, and neglect. The review also found that many of these young people were placed in accommodation that was not suitable for their needs, leading to poor outcomes in education, employment, and health.
The new regulations will apply to all forms of unregulated accommodation, including hostels, bed and breakfasts, and supported lodgings. It will also require local authorities to ensure that they have suitable accommodation available for young people in care, rather than relying on unregulated providers.
The government has said that it will provide additional funding to local authorities to help them comply with the new regulations, including funding for the provision of suitable accommodation and support for young people who are affected by the changes.
The move has been welcomed by children’s charities and advocacy groups, who have been campaigning for greater regulation of accommodation for young people in care for many years. They have called on the government to continue to invest in the provision of suitable accommodation and support services for young people in care, to ensure that they have the best possible chance of achieving their potential.
Source: Gov[Dot]UK
