Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023: A Complete Audit Guide for SA Providers

What Are the Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023?

The Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023 came into force on 28 October 2023, bringing Ofsted regulation to providers of supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds who are looked after or care leavers. For the first time, these providers must register with Ofsted and meet specific quality standards.

Who Needs to Register?

Any organisation or individual providing supported accommodation to young people aged 16 or 17 who are looked after by a local authority or are care leavers must register with Ofsted. This includes supported lodgings hosts, semi-independent living providers, and supported housing services. Failure to register is a criminal offence.

The Four Quality Standards

The regulations establish four quality standards that form the backbone of Ofsted inspections:

1. The Leadership and Management Standard (Regulation 4)

This standard covers effective governance, qualified and experienced staff, clear organisational structure, and continuous improvement. Providers must demonstrate that leaders and managers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to run the service effectively.

2. The Protection of Young People Standard (Regulation 5)

Young people must be protected from harm and neglect. This includes robust safeguarding policies, risk assessments, staff training on CSE/CCE/county lines, missing from placement protocols, and clear reporting procedures.

3. The Accommodation Standard (Regulation 6)

The accommodation must be suitable, safe, and well-maintained. This covers location risk assessments, fire safety, health and safety, furnishing standards, personal space, communal areas, and accessibility for young people with disabilities.

4. The Support Standard (Regulation 7)

Young people must receive support that helps them develop independence, maintain health and wellbeing, access education/training/employment, and prepare for independent living. Support plans must be individualised and regularly reviewed.

The Three-Outcome Inspection Model

Unlike children’s homes which use a four-grade model (Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, Inadequate), supported accommodation uses a simplified three-outcome model:

• The quality standards are met
• The quality standards require improvement to be met
• The quality standards are not met

This reflects the different nature of SA provision compared to children’s residential care.

Key Regulations to Audit

Beyond the four quality standards, providers must audit compliance with several additional regulations:

• Regulation 9 — Statement of Purpose (must include 18 specified items)
• Regulation 10 — Workforce Plan
• Regulation 27 — Serious Event Notifications to Ofsted
• Regulation 32 — Quality of Support Review (six-monthly review and report to Ofsted)
• Regulation 33 — Financial Viability

How MyCareAudit Helps SA Providers

MyCareAudit’s Supported Accommodation audit tools include a comprehensive master template covering all 28 sections of the SA Regulations, plus 28 individual regulation-specific templates. Our AI-powered gap detection highlights compliance issues before Ofsted visits, and professional PDF reports provide the evidence trail inspectors expect.

Whether you’re preparing for your first Ofsted registration visit or your annual inspection, MyCareAudit’s SA templates are designed to simplify compliance and keep you inspection-ready.