An investigation by BBC News has discovered that at least 120 children in care have been illegally placed in unregulated homes in England.
Chief-executive of Become, a charity for children in care, Katharine Sacks-Jones, claimed the discovery was “a national scandal”.
50 local authorities admitted to placing 120 children in unregulated homes. However, this number could be higher as many authorities refused to release the data for all children due to them claiming it was the personal information of the child.
One boy aged 12 was recently placed in unregulated care for at least six weeks with a company that moves children between its narrowboats and caravans.
The company in question claimed this was necessary due to shortages in provisions. Furthermore, denied their actions were unlawful as placements in caravans and narrowboats do not need to be registered.
These placements are banned for children under the age of 16. Although, this does not apply to holidays and leisure activities. There is no law restricting what defines these terms. This loophole, it is thought is being used by companies in order to place children in unregistered homes.
Worcestershire County Council were responsible for the child’s welfare, however, his placement was in a caravan on a campsite, in Lancashire. They described this as a “crisis” placement, but admitted it broke the law by placing a child into a unregulated environment.
Occasionally, in order to protect a child’s welfare, restrictions are placed on the movements and freedoms. These are occasionally granted by a High Court judge when no suitable accommodation available. This means children in care are placed into potentially dangerous settings.
The Department for Education says it is Ofsted’s job to prosecute companies running unlawful children’s homes, stating:
“Ofsted can prosecute providers operating as children’s homes without the required registration and it holds local councils to account for the quality of care and accommodation they provide to vulnerable children”.
No prosecutions have been placed onto any company by Ofsted for placing children into unregulated placements. It claimed there have been challenges for local authorities in finding suitable homes.
However, Ofsted stated it has not been granted the capacity to fine these companies directly which it states would allow the to better deal with these matters.
