Private Children's Homes and Supported Accommodation - Issues and Concerns

Only recently, the Times reported that a children’s home founded by a model and reality TV star had its registration suspended by Ofsted. Regulatory concerns about the private children’s home sector are now common, whilst local authorities are paying millions of pounds to keep their most vulnerable children in the care of these institutions. At the same time, thousands of children are being placed in “supported” accommodation which is unregulated. This seminar looks at the experience of the children in these places, their rights, and what the authorities could and should do, to provide sustainable care.

• The history of private children’s homes and supported accommodation and the extent of the present problems
• Private children’s homes – what are they and how are they regulated?
• What is supported accommodation – what is it and how is it regulated?
• What are the children’s rights?
• Are there other options for local authorities?