The
government has unveiled proposals to crack down on councils’ use of unregulated
care homes, amid increasing concerns that looked-after youngsters are being
placed in accommodation that puts them at risk of exploitation. The education
secretary, Gavin Williamson, is to propose a ban on under-16s in care being
accommodated in unregulated placements, as well as introducing new minimum
quality standards for unregulated provision used to house over-16s. Campaigners
and police have warned that unregulated accommodation can be targeted by gangs
wishing to exploit children for drugs or sex. In some instances, children have
been placed in AIR-Bn-B’s - on boats or in caravans.
ENDS:
More
than 6,000 youngsters – 100 of them under 16 – are currently placed in
unregulated accommodation, up from 4,800 in 2016, a rapid increase blamed on
rising numbers of looked-after children and a lack of registered homes.
Williamson
said: “There are no circumstances where a child under 16 should be placed in
accommodation that does not keep them safe. That is unacceptable and I am
taking urgent action to end this practice and drive up the quality of care
provided to all vulnerable children.”
A
Guardian investigation in December found that councils were spending millions
of pounds a year on unregulated accommodation, and that many children were
placed in homes outside their local borough – often when an emergency placement
was needed and no other options were available.
The
consultation on the proposed changes comes ahead of a review of the care system
promised in the Conservative party’s general election manifesto. The cost of
spiralling numbers of children in care – currently about 78,000 in England and
Wales – coupled with austerity cuts has pushed some councils into financial
jeopardy.
The government will propose a ban on under-16s in care being
accommodated in unregulated placements
Ofsted
will be given new powers under the proposals to take legal action and issue
enforcement notices which would force illegal providers to close, register or
face a penalty. Councils which make illegal placements would be punished by
Ofsted, with the threat of having children’s services taken out of their
control.
Unregulated
provision is essentially when children, usually over the age of 16, need
support to live independently rather than needing full-time care. It is allowed
under the law, although it is not regulated by Ofsted.
Unregistered
provision that claims to offer any form of “care” as opposed to just support is
illegal. However, because there is no legal definition of what care means, a
loophole is created that can be exploited.
Anne
Longfield, the children’s commissioner for England, said the proposals were
long overdue: “I have heard horror stories about very vulnerable children being
left to stay in completely inappropriate and sometimes very risky places, often
miles away from the place they know as home.
“The
government should now go further to make sure every child growing up in care
lives in high quality accommodation that suits their needs. This will require
financial support for councils so they can grow their own good local provision
for children in their local areas.”
Mark
Russell, chief executive of the Children’s Society charity, said: “Children are
often placed in these settings in an emergency and out of their home area,
where they may not get the support they need and can be at particular risk of
going missing and being criminally or sexually exploited. “All
accommodation for children in care has to be suitable for their needs and no
child should be placed in accommodation where they are not safe. It’s vital
that quality standards are introduced across the board.”
ENDS:
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