Guidance and regulation

Applications for the 2024 programme have now closed.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 3 April 2023

You might need to create a new Government Gateway account if you have forgotten both your user ID and password.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 7 July 2020

What social care providers need to know when notifying Ofsted of a serious incident.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 26 October 2023

Tell Ofsted about a serious incident in a children’s home or secure children’s home.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 26 October 2023

Find out what information you will need to create and use a Government Gateway account so that you can use Ofsted's services.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 7 July 2020

You might need to apply to Ofsted and provide them with certain information if you are connected with a children's social care service.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 12 August 2021

Statutory guidance on the principles behind children’s social care, its purpose, factors enabling good practice and what it should achieve.

• From: Department for Education
• Updated: 27 February 2024

Guidance on how Ofsted inspects children's homes.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 5 April 2024

Apply to register a children’s home, adoption or fostering agency, residential family centre or residential holiday scheme.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 1 July 2021

Health declaration forms for childminders and people who work in childcare or children's social care.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 1 April 2024

Apply to register a supported accommodation service.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 28 April 2023

Guidance on the conduct of inspectors and Ofsted's expectations of providers during inspection or wider regulatory activity.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 19 January 2024

An overview of Ofsted's registration process for adoption agencies, fostering agencies, children’s homes, residential family centres and residential holiday schemes for disabled children.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 27 May 2020

Reset your password on your Government Gateway account so you can access Ofsted services.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 7 July 2020

You will need to follow a specific procedure if you want to contract as an Ofsted inspector.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 10 January 2023

Information for social care providers and managers on how to register with Ofsted and about the registration process.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 14 April 2023

What providers need to know about registering with Ofsted and running or closing a supported accommodation service.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 4 April 2023

What providers need to know about the supported accommodation registration process before applying.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 4 April 2023

When and how to register with Ofsted if you want to open or manage a children's home or secure children's home.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 6 October 2023

Apply to connect people to a supported accommodation service.

• From: Ofsted
• Updated: 14 June 2023