Collection
Becoming and running a children's social care service
Find out how to register as a children's social care service in England, as well as what you need to update Ofsted about and how to do so.
Here you will find guidance on:
- how to register with Ofsted
- how to keep your registration up to date
- what information you will need to send us while you are registered
Become a children's social care provider
These guides will tell you how to:
- apply to become a registered children’s social care provider
- apply to be connected with a provider
- pay your children’s social care invoices
Run a children's social care provider
These guides will tell you how to:
- apply to be connected with a provider
- report serious incidents and changes to your service
- pay your children’s social care invoices
Additional documents, forms and guidance
Here you will find:
- a checklist on becoming a children’s social care provider
- information on the fees you must pay
Updates to this page
Published 27 May 2020
Last updated 1 July 2025
show all updates
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Removed references to the ‘fit/suitable person’ assessment questionnaire. Applicants do not need to complete the questionnaire at the registration stage of application. Suitability is assessed at interview stage.
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First published.