If you accommodate looked after children or care leavers aged 16 and 17 in England, Ofsted registration for supported accommodation is a legal requirement. Registration has been mandatory since 28 October 2023, and running an unregistered service is an offence. This guide explains each step, what Ofsted will ask for, and where applications most often stall.
The legal framework is set out in The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 (legislation.gov.uk), and Ofsted's process is described in its Ofsted supported accommodation service registration policy.
Step 1: Decide who registers
One organisation registers each service. Where a local authority commissions a provider, the two need to agree who the registered provider will be. Providers can be organisations, partnerships or individuals, and each service is applied for separately.
Step 2: Appoint the right people
- Nominated individual: represents the organisation and is Ofsted's main point of contact. They must be of good character, suitably experienced and available, and Ofsted usually interviews them.
- Registered service manager: every service needs one, responsible for the day-to-day regulatory running of the service.
- Directors: anyone carrying out director-type functions is named on the application and completes their own checks, including an enhanced DBS check.
Choosing people who can confidently explain how the service keeps children safe is one of the biggest factors in a smooth registration. Our Nominated Individual and Registered Service Manager mentoring prepares leaders for exactly this.
Step 3: Choose your supported accommodation categories
Your application must state which of the four categories you will provide:
- Single occupancy, a self-contained unit
- Ring-fenced shared accommodation, used only by looked after children and care leavers
- Non-ring-fenced shared accommodation
- Accommodation in a private residence, such as supported lodgings
Adding a category later needs a change to your registration, so plan ahead.
Step 4: Submit your Ofsted registration application
The provider completes the service application and each associated person completes their own (see Ofsted's Ofsted guidance for applicants). You will also need a statement of purpose that describes your actual service (Regulation 9). Once Ofsted confirms the application is complete, it requests the fees and issues a reference number. A reference number is not permission to operate.
Step 5: Information gathering and checks
Ofsted checks local authority records, requests references and may ask for health information. If you do not supply requested information within the set timescale, the application can be closed and the fees are not refunded.
Step 6: The site visit and interviews
An inspector usually visits over one to two days, looking at bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and shared spaces, and interviews the service manager and nominated individual. Expect questions about safeguarding, staffing, working with placing authorities, and how you judge whether each property and its area is safe. Independent location risk assessments for supported accommodation give you clear evidence for this.
Step 7: The decision
A regional manager decides after the visit and interviews. If Ofsted proposes to refuse, you have 28 days to make representations, and this cannot be extended.
Common reasons supported accommodation registration is delayed or refused
- Leaders cannot show enough experience or understanding of the regulations
- Policies and the statement of purpose are generic rather than written for the service
- No clear assessment of whether the property and location are safe for 16 and 17 year olds
- Requested information is not provided in time
Once registered, your next milestone is your first inspection. Read what Ofsted looks for in a supported accommodation inspection, and make sure you understand the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 explained.
In short: successful Ofsted registration for supported accommodation comes down to the right people, service-specific documents and clear evidence that every property is safe. Our Ofsted registration support for supported accommodation takes you through each step.