You must register to provide or manage certain types of childrens social care services. Ofsteds registration guidance explains how to register and what stages your application will go through before we make a decision.
You can also view guidance on how to request a priority application to register a childrens home.
Incorporated the temporary changes to the registration process into the main guide.
An update to how registration applications will be managed and determined.
Added a link to guidance on interim managers.
Added a link to new guidance on applying to register a multi-building children's home.
Updated information about the role of the responsible individual.
Minor addition to 'Withdrawing your application': you may not be able to withdraw your application if we have sent a notice of proposal to refuse your registration.
Updated main registration guide throughout for clarity.
Removed the 'Social care online applications: information for applicants' document as the guidance is no longer relevant. This follows the release of updated SC1, SC2 and SC3 forms.
Added clarification around the registration process during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Updated information for applicants who have lived abroad obtaining DBS certificates.
Updated information about applications from charities, planning permission documents and accepting copies of DBS certificates.
To clarify our current policy we have amended the text about applicants from abroad.
Updated guidance to clarify that we do not register satellite childrens homes.
All documents replaced: we have updated the types of financial information required by trusts and included more information about childrens homes location assessments.
Updated sections 80-81 about DBS checks and the DBS update service.
Guidance updated to introduce 3 stages of the application process. Applications must include all completed forms and relevant documents.
Annex B and C added; minor changes for clarity in paragraphs 14, 83 and 152 to 154.
Updated for changes to legislation.
First published.