Children's social care registration: when and how to register with Ofsted
Find guidance to register a children's social care service with Ofsted in England.
Read Ofsted’s registration guidance before you apply. It explains how to register, the application stages and what you must do once you’re registered.
Due to the exceptionally high number of applications, it is taking us longer than usual to process new submissions. If you are applying to register, it is likely to be several months before you receive a decision.
To help avoid further delays, please ensure that you provide all required information both at the time of application and throughout the process.
Adoption support agencies
Children's homes
Independent fostering agencies
Residential family centres
Residential holiday schemes for disabled children
Supported accommodation services
Voluntary adoption agencies
Register or be associated with a children's social care service
Report changes or incidents to Ofsted
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
- health declaration forms
Updates to this page
-
We've updated our registration guidance on children's social care services and what you need to do.
-
Added a note to explain that there are significant delays in processing new registration applications due to an exceptionally high number of submissions.
-
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.
-
First published.