Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what plans she has to extend Ofsted inspections to semi-independent care provision for 16 to 18 year olds; and if she will make a statement.

Local Authorities are responsible for ensuring that 16-and 17-year-olds that are either looked after or care leavers, are placed in safe and suitable accommodation. Statutory guidance sets out the factors that local authorities must take into account when determining the suitability of accommodation. The full guidance can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-act-1989-transition-to-adulthood-for-care-leavers

Since 2013, Ofsted inspections of local authorities’ children’s social care services have included a separate sub-judgement on care leavers, which includes an assessment of whether the local authority is ensuring that care leavers have access to suitable accommodation. In particular, Ofsted inspect whether:

• Accommodation for care leavers is appropriate for each young person to safely develop their independence skills;
• Care leavers are safe and feel safe, particularly where they are living;
• Care leavers are helped to find housing solutions that best meet their needs; and
• Risks of tenancy breakdown are identified and alternative plans are put in place.

The government recognises that more needs to be done to improve care leavers’ outcomes and is considering how it can build on the achievements of the first ever cross-government care leaver strategy which was introduced in October 2013. This will include consideration of what can be done to drive further improvement in the quality of accommodation that care leavers receive.