Category: Sector News & Insights
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Ofsted Updates SCCIF Guidance: What Changed in October 2026?
Ofsted’s current Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) contains important guidance concerning the accommodation of young adults in children’s homes, the regulatory position of CQC-registered care homes and the arrangements for inspecting supported accommodation. These provisions have practical implications for registered providers, responsible individuals, nominated individuals and registered managers, particularly…
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Ofsted Introduces Monetary Penalties Framework for Unregistered Children’s Social Care: What Providers and Managers Need to Know
Ofsted has published new guidance explaining how it will determine and impose financial penalties against organisations and individuals responsible for operating or managing unregistered children’s social care provision in England. The guidance, Unregistered social care: how we apply monetary penalties, establishes a structured approach to assessing the seriousness of offences,…
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New Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Development Programme Launching in November 2026
Social Care Skills is pleased to announce the launch of its new Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) in Children’s Social Care programme, taking place from 17 to 26 November 2026. Developed specifically for professionals working in Children’s Homes, Supported Accommodation and wider children’s social care services, this four-module programme aims to…
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New National Standards for Children’s and Young People’s Advocacy Services
On 13 October 2026, the Department for Education published updated National Standards for the Provision of Children’s and Young People’s Advocacy Services in England. The publication provides an important opportunity for organisations and professionals working with children and young people to reflect on how effectively they promote children’s rights, support…
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Why Meaningful CPD Matters in Social Care
At Social Care Skills, we have always aimed to deliver learning experiences that are practical, reflective, and directly connected to the realities of frontline practice. Our seminars are designed not only to support compliance and inspection readiness, but also to encourage critical thinking, relational approaches, and evidence-informed practice across children’s…
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Ensure Compliance with Health and Safety Law
Every residential service (including children’s home and supported accommodation) must have a competent person responsible for health and safety, but what does that really mean in practice?
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Creating Positive, Respectful Spaces: Reducing Restraint & Restrictive Practices
This post draws on insights from an Ofsted social care blog written by Yvette Stanley, National Director for Regulation and Social Care, published on 30 July 2025: Restraint and restrictive practices: positive environments for children. The blog reflects Ofsted’s learning from inspections across children’s homes, residential special schools, boarding schools,…
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6 Months of Full Inspections – Data and Takeaways
We’ll be exploring insights from the first six months of full Ofsted inspections in Supported Accommodation, drawing on key themes, common recommendations, and practical takeaways that can inform and improve your service.