Every provider needs clear supported accommodation policies and procedures, but Ofsted is not looking for the thickest folder. Inspectors want to see that the required policies exist, that staff know them, and that what happens day to day matches what the policy says. This guide lists the policies the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 require, what each must cover, and the other policies most services need.
The policies the 2023 Regulations require
| Policy | Regulation | What it must cover |
|---|---|---|
| Safeguarding | Regulation 20 | Protecting young people from abuse and neglect, and what happens when an allegation is made: working with any local authority making child protection enquiries, prompt referrals to the accommodating authority (and other authorities where relevant), records of each allegation and the action taken, protective measures, and how staff report concerns without delay. |
| Missing child | Regulation 21 | Steps to prevent young people going missing, procedures when a young person is or has been missing, and staff roles. You must consult relevant people before introducing or changing it, and have regard to local authority and police protocols. |
| Behaviour management | Regulation 22 | How staff support positive behaviour, expectations and consequences, de-escalation, respectful relationships, and the exceptional use of restraint: only to prevent injury or serious damage to property, and only when necessary and proportionate. |
| Contingency plan | Regulation 23 | What would happen to young people and their records if the service stopped operating, temporarily or permanently. It must be given to any local authority considering a placement. |
| Complaints and representations | Regulation 31 | A procedure for complaints made by or for young people. The person complained about must not investigate (except at the informal stage), there must be no reprisal, and every complaint, action and outcome must be recorded. |
Records linked to your policies
- Restraint: a written record within 24 hours. Within 48 hours, the registered service manager (or an authorised person) speaks to the young person and signs the record, and within 5 days adds a note confirming the young person has agreed its accuracy.
- Allegations: a record of each allegation of abuse or neglect and the action taken.
- Complaints: a record of each complaint, the action taken and the outcome. Ofsted can ask for a summary covering the past 12 months.
Other policies Ofsted will expect to see
The DfE Guide to supported accommodation regulations including quality standards also expects whistleblowing procedures that reflect the "Freedom to speak up" principles, safer recruitment that makes sure staff are suitable to work with young people, and a business continuity plan. Most services also keep policies on:
- Lone working and on-call arrangements
- Medication and health
- Health and safety, fire safety and property checks
- Exploitation and contextual safeguarding
- Online safety
- Staff supervision, training and induction
- Data protection and confidentiality (UK GDPR)
- Equality, diversity and inclusion
Your statement of purpose and your guide for young people sit alongside these. The young person's guide must explain how to make a complaint.
Keeping policies under review
The DfE Guide says the registered person must keep the effectiveness of the safeguarding, missing child and behaviour management policies under review, and revise them where needed. Good practice is to:
- Review every policy at least once a year, and after any serious incident, change in the law or change in local protocols.
- Use version control, so everyone knows which version is current.
- Share policies with staff at induction and ask them to confirm they have read them.
- Give young people versions they can easily understand.
How inspectors test your policies
- They ask staff what they would do if a young person went missing tonight, and compare the answer with your policy.
- They compare missing-episode, restraint and complaint records with what your policies say should happen.
- They check that young people know how to complain and feel able to.
- They look at whether policies reflect your service and local protocols, rather than a generic template.
Our recording templates for supported accommodation help staff record things the way your policies require. A supported accommodation mock inspection tests whether policy and practice match. If you are applying to register, read how to register supported accommodation with Ofsted, because Ofsted reviews your policies as part of registration.
Quick checklist
- Safeguarding policy in place and reflecting local procedures
- Missing child policy, agreed after consulting relevant people
- Behaviour management policy, with clear limits on restraint
- Contingency plan policy, ready to share with placing authorities
- Complaints procedure, explained in the young person's guide
- Whistleblowing, safer recruitment and business continuity in place
- Every policy dated, version-controlled and reviewed in the last 12 months
- Staff can explain the key policies in their own words
In short: good supported accommodation policies and procedures are short, specific to your service, and visible in daily practice. Read them alongside the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023 explained and supported accommodation quality standards checklist.
Related guides
- What Ofsted Looks For in a Supported Accommodation Ofsted Inspection
- Ofsted Outcome 2 in Supported Accommodation: What It Means and What to Do Next
- Ofsted Outcome 3 in Supported Accommodation: Urgent Next Steps for Providers
- Notifying Ofsted: Regulation 27 and Other Supported Accommodation Notifications