Amendments

This chapter was updated in April 2025 with a link to DBS guidance leaflets (GOV.UK) in the Related Guidance Section.

This chapter was refreshed in April 2025 in line with How Local Authorities and Children’s Homes Can Achieve Stability and Permanence for Children with Complex Needs (Ofsted).

In April 2025, information was added into Section 9, Accommodation, Bedroom Space and Sharing in relation to bunk beds.

In April 2025, Section 4.2, Procedural Fairness was updated in line with case-law.

In April 2025, links were added to additional sources of guidance.

In April 2025, Section 15.1, Registering an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Disability) was updated in line with case law.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 4.5, Concluding the Investigation.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 to include a link to the Disclosure and Barring Service Guidance Leaflets - GOV.UK in the Related Guidance Section.

In April 2025, a link was added to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In April 2025, updates were made to reflect the Homelessness Code of Guidance - Chapter 22: Care Leavers (updated 3 May 2024) which sets out the expectation that authorities should have in place joint protocols which clearly outline jointly held corporate parenting responsibilities for care leavers. See Section 8, Joint Housing Protocols for Care Leavers.

This chapter was updated in April 2025 with a link to DBS guidance leaflets - GOV.UK in Section 4.4, Concluding the Investigation.

In April 2025, links to sources of further information were updated.

In April 2025, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.