Category: Children and Young People
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Ofsted’s Proposed Changes to Children’s Social Care Inspections: What Could They Mean for Providers?
Ofsted launched, today, a consultation on proposed changes to the way children’s social care is inspected. While no changes have been confirmed, the consultation provides a clear indication of the direction Ofsted wants inspections to take over the coming years. Although the regulations themselves are not changing, the consultation suggests…
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Beyond the Headlines: What Ofsted’s Latest Announcements Mean for Children’s Social Care Providers
Last Thursday, Ofsted published a series of reports, guidance documents and policy announcements that deserve the attention of everyone working in children’s social care. Individually, the publications focus on different areas: unregistered children’s homes, sufficiency, emergency registration, social care research and Ofsted’s future approach to regulation. Read together, however, they…
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Tell Us About Your Training Needs
To help us continue developing relevant, practical and high-quality learning opportunities, we’re inviting providers, managers and practitioners to complete our Training Needs Assessment 2026. As a thank you for completing the questionnaire, your organisation will receive a 10% discount on registrations for all July and August 2026 Live Online Seminars.
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Heatwave Alert: Preparing Social Care Services for Extreme Temperatures
Whether working in children’s homes, supported accommodation, fostering services, domiciliary care, supported living, residential care, or community-based support services, preparation remains one of the most effective tools available. By taking practical and proportionate steps now, providers can help protect the health, wellbeing, and safety of the people they support while…
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Supreme Court Redefines Deprivation of Liberty: What Health and Social Care Providers Need to Know
On 2 June 2026, the Court published a judgment that fundamentally changes how deprivation of liberty should be understood and assessed across the UK. The decision overturns key aspects of the well-known Cheshire West judgment, which has guided practice since 2014, and introduces a new approach that places greater emphasis…
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Ofsted Inspection Framework Update Sessions Returning in June
Earlier this year, Social Care Skills delivered two seminars exploring the recent updates to the inspection frameworks for Supported Accommodation and Children’s Homes. The response from providers, managers, and leaders across the sector was extremely positive, with strong engagement and discussion throughout both sessions. Due to the level of interest…
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What the “Children’s Social Care Reset” Means for Providers: Key Implications for Providers
Although much of the implementation plan is aimed at local authorities and wider partnership systems, the implications for providers across children’s homes, supported accommodation, and fostering are considerable. In many ways, the document gives providers an early indication of where regulation, commissioning, inspection, and sector expectations are likely to evolve…
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Two New Courses Launching This June at Social Care Skills
Across children’s homes, supported accommodation, and leaving care services, professionals are increasingly expected to balance compliance, safeguarding, relationship-based practice, and outcomes-focused support. Two areas continue to create significant challenges for providers and practitioners alike: responding effectively when young people go missing, and developing pathway plans that genuinely prepare young people…
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June 2026 Training Programme: Now Open
DESIGNATED SAFEGUARDING LEAD (DSL) IN CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE Strengthen your safeguarding leadership through our specialist four-module live online programme. Starting 17 November 2026. EXPLORE THE PROGRAMME → June is packed with practical, inspection-focused sessions designed to support professionals across social care to strengthen practice, improve oversight, and feel more confident…
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Getting Annex A Right Before Your Next Ofsted Inspection
As part of our Social Care Updates Series, we are delivering two short, practical sessions designed to help you complete Annex A with confidence. Each session focuses on the specific requirements of your provision, ensuring the guidance is relevant and easy to apply.