By Godfrey Mushandu
Registering a children’s home in England is a complex process that requires careful planning and compliance with Ofsted regulations. To help you navigate the process successfully we will discuss some top tips of how to register a children’s home:
1. Understand the Legal Requirements
- Read The Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations including the Quality Standards to ensure full compliance.
- Ensure your policies and procedures align with Ofsted’s Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) for children’s homes.
- Check whether your home falls under the category of a Children’s Home as per the Care Standards Act 2000.
🔹 Key Documents to Study:
- Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- The Care Standards Act 2000
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018
- Ofsted’s Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations
- The Children’s Homes (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
2. Prepare Your Registration Application Thoroughly
- Use Ofsted’s SC1 Form (application to register a children’s home) and ensure all sections are completed accurately.
- Register both the children’s home and the responsible individuals (RI), including the registered manager (who must complete an SC2 form).
Prepare a Comprehensive Statement of Purpose
Your Statement of Purpose (SOP) is a critical document that outlines the ethos, objectives, and operational approach of your children’s home.
🔹 Key Elements of a Strong SOP:
- The home’s mission statement and philosophy.
- Details of the types of children you will support (e.g., age, needs, disabilities).
- The number of children you will accommodate.
- Staff structure and qualifications.
- Therapeutic models and intervention strategies.
- How the home will promote education, health, and well-being.
- Safeguarding and behavioural management policies.
3. Ensure Your Responsible Individuals and Managers Are Suitable
- The Registered Manager must have:
- At least 2 years’ experience in a children’s residential setting
- A Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare (or be working towards it)
- The Responsible Individual (RI) must be able to oversee the home’s operation and demonstrate leadership, safeguarding knowledge, and compliance with regulations.
4. Get Your Policies and Procedures in Place
Ofsted will expect a comprehensive set of policies demonstrating compliance with safeguarding, child protection, and quality standards.
🔹 Essential Policies to Prepare:
- Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy.
- Behaviour Management and Restraint Policy.
- Complaints & Whistleblowing Procedures.
- Missing from Care Procedure.
- Staff Recruitment and Training Policies.
- Medication and Healthcare Policies.
- Fire Safety and Emergency Procedures.
- GDPR and Data Protection Policy.
5. Ensure the Premises Are Suitable and Safe
Your premises must be safe, homely, and appropriate for children’s needs.
🔹 Key Considerations:
- The home should meet fire safety and health & safety regulations, including first aid, infection control, and risk assessments.
- Adequate bedroom space (each child must have their own room).
- Sufficient outdoor space or access to recreational areas.
- Access to schools, healthcare, and community resources.
- Compliance with local planning permissions (some local authorities require planning consent).
- Carry out a fire risk assessment and implement all necessary safety measures.
6. Have a Robust Staffing Structure and Training Plan
- Your staffing levels must always meet children’s needs.
Ofsted will scrutinise your staff team to ensure they have adequate training and qualifications to provide outstanding care.
🔹 Staffing Considerations:
- Ensure all staff complete Enhanced DBS Checks.
- Provide Level 3 Residential Childcare training (or equivalent).
- Have at least 80% of your care staff trained at Level 3 before opening.
- Develop an ongoing staff training programme covering safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and child development.
7. Financial Viability Assessment
You must demonstrate financial stability to sustain the home for at least six months before receiving funding.
🔹 Financial Evidence Includes:
- A detailed business plan.
- A financial forecast showing revenue and expenses.
- Proof of sufficient funds in your business account (usually around £50,000–£100,000, depending on home size).
- Any funding agreements or contracts with local authorities.
8. Complete and submit the Ofsted SC1 and SC2 Application
Assistance with Completing the SC1 & SC2 Forms for Children’s Home Registration with Ofsted
The SC1 (Provider Application Form) and SC2 (Responsible Individual & Registered Manager Application Form) are critical parts of your Ofsted registration. Each form requires precise information to avoid delays or rejections.
1. SC1 – Application to Register a Children’s Home as a Provider
The SC1 form is for the organisation applying to operate the children’s home.
📌 Key Sections and How We Assist
Section | Description | How We Can Help |
1. Applicant Details | Business name, legal entity (Ltd, charity, partnership, etc.) | Ensure consistency with Companies House registration. |
2. Contact Information | Registered address, phone, email | Verify all communication details match official records. |
3. Premises Information | Home address, local authority, number of children to be accommodated | Ensure the premises meet Ofsted’s size and suitability criteria. |
4. Business Structure | Who owns and controls the home (directors, trustees, partners) | Provide clear governance documents to meet regulatory requirements. |
5. Responsible Individual (RI) | Details of the RI who will oversee compliance | Ensure the RI meets experience & qualifications criteria. |
6. Financial Viability | Proof of financial sustainability, funding sources | Assist in preparing a detailed financial forecast and supporting documentation. |
7. Statement of Purpose | A document outlining your vision, care model, and service | Write a high-quality, Ofsted-compliant SOP that aligns with Children’s Homes Regulations 2015. |
8. Policies and Procedures | Upload all required policies | Provide a full suite of compliant policies, including safeguarding, risk management, behaviour management, and staff training. |
9. Supporting Documents | DBS, ID verification, premises suitability, insurance | Guide you in preparing and submitting all required documents. |
🔹 Common Pitfalls and How We Prevent Them
✅ Missing governance details → We ensure all directors, trustees, or partners are correctly declared.
✅ Insufficient financial information → We help create a viable financial plan with projected expenses and income.
✅ Poorly written Statement of Purpose → We provide an Ofsted-compliant SOP that clearly outlines your objectives.
✅ Lack of supporting policies → We supply a full set of policies to ensure regulatory compliance.
2. SC2 – Application for Responsible Individual & Registered Manager
The SC2 form is required for individuals taking up key positions, such as the Registered Manager and Responsible Individual (RI).
📌 Key Sections and How We Assist
Section | Description | How We Can Help |
1. Personal Information | Full name, address, contact details | Ensure all details match DBS and professional records. |
2. Employment History | Last five years of employment | Help structure clear employment history with explanations for any gaps. |
3. Qualifications & Training | Relevant qualifications (e.g., Level 5 Leadership in Residential Childcare) | Verify qualifications and assist with enrolment if needed. |
4. Experience in Children’s Social Care | Previous experience managing or working in children’s homes | Provide clear, Ofsted-friendly descriptions of your experience. |
5. Safeguarding Knowledge | Understanding of safeguarding children and risk management | Prepare you for Ofsted’s interview questions on safeguarding. |
6. References & DBS | Enhanced DBS check & professional references | Ensure DBS and references are up to date before submission. |
7. Understanding of Regulations | Knowledge of Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards | Provide training materials and a mock interview session to prepare you. |
🔹 Common Pitfalls and How We Prevent Them
✅ Inadequate safeguarding knowledge → We provide training on Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018.
✅ Unclear job history → We ensure your experience is well-documented and aligned with Ofsted’s expectations.
✅ DBS or reference delays → We assist in fast-tracking DBS checks and ensure strong professional references.
3. Supporting Documents Checklist
✅ Children’s Home Statement of Purpose (SOP)
✅ Policies and Procedures (Safeguarding, Complaints, Missing from Care, Behaviour Management, etc.)
✅ Enhanced DBS Certificate (for the RI & RM)
✅ Financial Viability Statement & Business Plan
✅ Staff Training and Recruitment Plans
✅ Fire Risk and Health & Safety Assessments
✅ Local Authority Notifications and Planning Permissions
👉 Top Tip: Ensure every section is thoroughly completed, as missing information can cause delays.
Prepare for the Ofsted Registration Visit
- Once your application is reviewed, Ofsted will conduct ‘Fitness Interviews’ and a pre-registration visit.
- 🔹 Fitness Interview Tips:
- Be clear on regulations and quality standards.
- Explain how you will promote children’s welfare and safeguard them.
- Provide real-life examples of risk management strategies.
- Demonstrate leadership capability and knowledge of operational procedures.
- 🔹 Pre-Registration Inspection:
- The premises must be fully set up and compliant.
- Staff should be ready to operate with training records in place.
- Ensure fire alarms, emergency exits, and policies are accessible.
- 9. Expect a Decision Within 12 Weeks
- Ofsted aims to process applications within 12 weeks, but delays can occur if documents are missing, or additional checks are needed.
- If registration is refused, you can challenge the decision via the First-tier Tribunal (Care Standards).
- Understand Ofsted Fees and Processing Timelines
Registering a children’s home involves application fees and processing time.
🔹 Costs to Consider:
- Ofsted Registration Fee: £1,019 (subject to change).
- DBS Checks for Staff: £38 per staff member (subject to change).
- Fire Risk Assessment and Health & Safety Checks.
11. Ensure Compliance with Local Authorities and External Agencies
- You may also need to engage with:
- Local Safeguarding Partnerships for child protection.
- Local Planning Authorities for property compliance.
- Ofsted Social Care Registration Team for queries and support.
- 12. Focus on Achieving ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ from Day One
- Aim to exceed Ofsted’s minimum standards by:
- Investing in quality staff training.
- Developing a child-centred culture.
- Creating a warm, supportive, and therapeutic environment.
- Regularly reviewing and improving policies and procedures.
- Final Thoughts
- Registering a children’s home is a rigorous process that requires significant preparation. However, with the right approach, clear documentation, and a strong commitment to child welfare, your service can achieve registration and begin making a meaningful impact in children’s lives.
13. Get Expert Support If Needed
- Consider consulting a specialist social care advisor or a legal expert in children’s home regulations.
- Network with other registered providers to learn from their experiences.
If you follow these steps, you can increase your chances of a smooth and successful registration process.