Ofsted children's homes regulations explained
By Cura Compliance UK · Updated 31 October 2026
Children's homes in England are regulated under the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, read alongside the Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards. Ofsted registers and inspects homes against nine quality standards that describe the outcomes every child should experience, from protection and health to education and positive relationships.
The law behind a children's home
A children's home provides care and accommodation to children, and it must be registered with Ofsted before it opens. The core requirements are in the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015. The statutory Guide to the Regulations sits alongside them and explains what Ofsted expects, so the two should be read together rather than in isolation.
The nine quality standards
The Regulations set nine quality standards. Each is an outcome the home has to achieve for every child, and inspection is built around them:
- The quality and purpose of care standard
- The children's views, wishes and feelings standard
- The education standard
- The enjoyment and achievement standard
- The health and well-being standard
- The positive relationships standard
- The protection of children standard
- The leadership and management standard
- The care planning standard
Key duties beyond the standards
- A Statement of Purpose that accurately describes the home and its care, kept up to date
- A registered manager who is suitable and holds, or is working towards, the required qualification
- Behaviour management and any use of restraint recorded and reviewed, with restraint only ever used to prevent harm
- Independent monthly visits and reporting under Regulation 44, and a review of the quality of care under Regulation 45
- Notifications to Ofsted and other relevant people when significant events occur
From standards to policies
The standards describe outcomes; your policies and records show how the home meets them. For the specific documents a registered home needs, see the Ofsted children's home policies guide, and to compare Ofsted with the other UK regulators read CQC vs Ofsted vs Care Inspectorate vs CIW.
Where CuraFlow fits
CuraFlow's children's home library is written for the 2015 Regulations and the nine quality standards, personalised to your home, with review dates and acknowledgement tracking. Browse the children's home library or see pricing and free samples.
Frequently asked questions
- What regulations govern children's homes in England?
- The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, read with the statutory Guide to the Children's Homes Regulations including the quality standards. They set nine quality standards and duties covering the Statement of Purpose, the registered manager, behaviour management, independent visits and notifications.
- What are the nine quality standards?
- Quality and purpose of care; children's views, wishes and feelings; education; enjoyment and achievement; health and well-being; positive relationships; protection of children; leadership and management; and care planning. Ofsted inspects the home against these outcomes.
- Does a children's home need a registered manager?
- Yes. A children's home must have a registered manager who is suitable for the role and holds, or is working towards, the required management qualification. The manager is accountable for meeting the quality standards day to day.
Ready-to-use, regulator-aligned policies for your service
Browse the children's home policy library