Category: Regulation & Inspection
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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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The Care Certificate: Building a Strong Foundation for High-Quality Care
At Social Care Skills, we are pleased to offer the Care Certificate E-Learning Programme through our Video E-Learning Platform, providing a flexible, affordable, and accessible way for organisations and individuals to complete the knowledge requirements of the nationally recognised Care Certificate.
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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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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.
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Ofsted Updates to the Social Care Common Inspection Framework: What Providers Need to Know in 2026
While the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) remains the core structure for inspections, the latest updates and wider reform programme highlight a clear direction of travel: inspections are becoming more impact-focused, nuanced, and aligned with the realities of children’s lives and complex care needs.
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From Compliance to Outcomes: What the National Framework Means for Your Service
The expectations set out in the National Framework are not theoretical. They are already influencing inspection approaches, commissioning conversations, and the way services are evaluated. Understanding these changes early allows professionals and organisations to respond proactively, rather than reactively. It creates an opportunity to strengthen practice, improve consistency, and better…
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Strengthening Safeguarding Responses to County Lines and Serious Youth Violence
For providers, the message is clear. Safeguarding in this context is not an additional responsibility, it is central to the role. Those who are able to combine strong relational practice with confident multi-agency engagement will be best placed to support young people effectively and meet the expectations of an increasingly…
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Ofsted’s Latest Safeguarding Guidance: From Compliance to True Multi-Agency Practice
The Department for Education and Ofsted have recently published new guidance on supporting local areas to embed “Working Together to Safeguard Children” and the Children’s Social Care National Framework. While this may appear targeted at local authorities, its implications go far beyond that. This is a clear signal of a…