Building Stability, Not Barriers: What Ofsted’s Changes Mean for Children’s Social Care

In a powerful step toward improving care for children with complex needs, Ofsted has announced updates to how children’s social care providers will be inspected—placing stability and compassion at the heart of the process.

Why It Matters

Right now, children with high or multiple needs are often left waiting for the right home—sometimes for months or even years. Many are moved repeatedly or placed in settings far from their families, or worse, in unsuitable or unregistered homes. These outcomes aren’t just unfortunate—they’re preventable.

A key part of the problem? Fear. Local authorities have reported that even the highest-rated care providers hesitate to accept children with complex needs because they worry that doing so might affect their Ofsted rating. And in a system where ratings carry significant weight, this fear has real consequences for real children.

What’s Changing

To address this, Ofsted is making targeted changes to its Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF). These updates aim to reassure providers that supporting children with complex needs won’t work against them during inspections—and may, in fact, be recognised as exemplary practice.

The refreshed framework sharpens its focus on what really matters:

• How well providers create and maintain stable placements, especially for children with high needs.

• The quality of placement decisions, including how they affect both new and existing residents.

• The effort and timing around preparing children for their next steps, whether that’s transitioning into adulthood or moving to another setting.

• How well providers stick to their stated mission and goals.

• Collaboration with partners to create stable, long-term outcomes for children most at risk of instability.

A Culture Shift in Care

This isn’t just a policy update—it’s a cultural signal. Ofsted is encouraging providers to be risk-aware, not risk-averse. As Yvette Stanley, National Director of Social Care at Ofsted, put it: “Every child deserves a stable, supportive home environment where they can thrive.”

Providers are being called to lean in, not step back—especially when it comes to children who’ve had the hardest start in life. And the message is clear: they won’t be punished for doing the right thing.

Building a Better System, Together

These changes didn’t come out of nowhere. They’re the result of extensive collaboration with stakeholders across the social care sector, including voices of people who have lived through the system. Inspectors will also receive updated training to ensure inspections are fair, thoughtful, and aligned with this new emphasis.

Ultimately, this marks a positive shift toward a more supportive, child-centered system—one where courage and care are celebrated, not penalised.