Once your home is fully prepared, your team is in place, and all documentation is ready, you can formally apply to register your children’s home with Ofsted or the relevant regulator in your nation. You cannot admit any children or begin operating until registration is approved and your certificate is issued.
1. Complete your application package
- SC1 form (application for provider)
- SC2 form (application for Registered Manager)
- Statement of Purpose
- Children’s Guide
- Safeguarding and core policies
- Location risk assessment
- Planning permission or Certificate of Lawful Use
- Insurance documents (or active quote)
- Business plan and 12-month cash flow forecast
- DBS certificates for key individuals
- Two references for both the Responsible Individual and Registered Manager
2. Pay the registration fee
A non-refundable fee must be paid upon submission. At the time of writing, Ofsted’s fee for registering a children’s home is approximately £1,218. Payment is made via their secure online system.
Keep a copy of the receipt to confirm your application is in progress.
3. Submit via Ofsted’s online portal
Register your service through Ofsted’s secure children’s social care portal. During submission:
- Create an account and verify your identity
- Upload each required document in the relevant section
- Double-check details for the Responsible Individual and Registered Manager
- Submit and wait for a confirmation email from Ofsted
4. Prepare for Ofsted’s assessment process
Once submitted, Ofsted will begin a series of checks:
Fit person interviews
with the Provider, Responsible Individual, and Registered Manager
Document and reference checks
including verification of qualifications
Financial review
to assess sustainability and business planning
Premises visit
to inspect safety, policies, and physical readiness
Your home will be reviewed against the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the Quality Standards.
5. Attend the fit person interview
- Meeting Quality Standards in practice
- Safeguarding procedures and reporting
- Staff training and supervision
- Your home’s ethos and child-centred care model
Be prepared with examples and speak confidently about your values and procedures.
6. Await Ofsted’s decision
After completing checks and interviews, Ofsted will issue either:
A Certificate of Registration
listing your home’s name, manager, provider, and maximum number of children
a Notice of Proposal/Decision
if registration is declined or delayed (with reasons provided)
You must display your certificate clearly in the home once received.
Registration timeline
The full process usually takes 16–20 weeks from submission to approval, depending on your preparedness and Ofsted’s current workload.
Summary checklist :
- Submit all required forms and documents in digital format
- Pay the Ofsted registration fee in full
- Prepare for interviews and a premises inspection
- Wait up to 20 weeks for approval
- Display your registration certificate once issued