Children's social care providers: fees and inspections 2022

We asked for views on our proposals to make changes to the fees Ofsted charge children’s social care providers and reset the three-year inspection cycle for residential family centres, voluntary adoption agencies, adoption support agencies and fostering agencies.

Just over half told us that the proposed fee increase, for those not paying the full cost of Ofsted inspection and regulation, would have a minimal or moderate impact and considered that the proposed increase was fair or thought the fee increase could be sufficiently covered within existing budgets. Almost all other respondents advised that it would have a moderate effect and two said it would have a major effect. Some concerns were raised about the fee increase and the impact of wider financial pressures.

Most respondents were supportive of our proposals on fees for multi-building children’s homes. Likewise, most respondents were also supportive of our proposal to reset the three-year inspection cycle. However, there were some concerns raised, particularly around the potential for a longer time between inspections for some providers. 

The results of the consultation have been set out in a report on the gov.uk website. Based on these results, the department has decided to implement a 10% increase in fees for children’s social care providers not paying the full cost rate, introduce fees for multi-building children’s homes and reset the three-year inspection cycle for residential family centres, voluntary adoption agencies, adoption support agencies and fostering agencies.