Ofsted considering criminal investigation after council admits putting eight children into unregistered homes
Ofsted is considering a “full criminal investigation” after Bristol City Council admitted to unlawfully putting children in care into unregistered placements.
A report to Bristol City Council’s audit committee published on Monday (22 July) said: “There are currently 8 children living in unregistered placements and due to the current number of children in care with high needs and placement sufficiency we are unlikely to be able to reduce this to nil children in the short term so the legal risk and risk to children remains.”
According to the audit report, Ofsted have served the council with letters instructing that the home is registered, or the child be removed, and that a “full criminal investigation” will be considered.
Unregistered provision is when a child who is being provided with care is living somewhere that is not registered with Ofsted.
The audit report noted: “Placing a child in unregistered provision is an unlawful action by the council and is a risk for children as their placement is not safeguarded by Ofsted regulations and quality assurance framework.”
The report said a new sufficiency strategy is being drafted which details the plans to increase placement sufficiency. “A focussed recruitment drive for foster carers is in place and an agreement for a number of initiatives is being progressed to the PCCB Committee. Plans are in place to increase our number of homes for children in local Children Homes from 14 children to 36 children. These homes our planned to provide places for our children with the most complex needs who are often the children cared for in unregistered placements.”
Nationally, as of 31 March 2023 there were 83,840 children in care – up 2% from 2022.
Bristol has seen a progressively increasing rate of children in care over the past 18 months. As of May this year, there were 769 children in care and approximately 800 care leavers.
An Ofsted Spokesperson said: “All children’s homes are required by law to be registered with Ofsted. Where Ofsted is concerned a children’s home might be operating without a registration, we will investigate and if necessary, we do have the powers to prosecute the provider.”
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “We have kept Ofsted informed and been transparent with them about the difficult decisions we sometimes must make about the placement of our children in care. Challenges with the availability of regulated placements has been an issue for a number of years.
“The care of our children is a top priority for the council and we will continue to co-operate and provide Ofsted with any information they request in this matter. We accept the findings of the internal Audit Report and are on track to deliver all of the management recommendations, including our commitment to review and improve our Quality Assurance practices.”
Lottie Winson
