Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the quality of available residential care for vulnerable children; and what effect, if any, the withdrawal of grants to local authorities by 2020 will have on the quality of provision.

Ofsted, as the independent regulator, undertake regular inspections of all children’s homes in England to make sure homes are complying with statutory requirements. In 2017, 82% of all children’s homes were rated good or outstanding following their inspection, while only 3% received a judgement of inadequate. Homes that are judged to be inadequate are subject to twice-yearly inspections; if there is no improvement, the home may be removed from Ofsted’s register and required to close.

Local authorities have access to council tax, business rates and other funding to deliver their local services. Over the five-year period from 2015-16 to 2019-20, local authorities will have access to more than £200 billion to deliver these services, including children’s residential care.

Autumn Budget 2018 made an additional £410 million available to be spent on adult and children’s social care, and a further £84 million in targeted, evidence-based interventions to transform local services. These interventions will reduce demand, save money for councils, and most importantly, improve the quality of services for vulnerable children.