Ofsted promises to penalise councils using illegal children's homes
The watchdog has previously faced criticism for failing to take action against unregistered premises.
AI Summary
Ofsted's chief inspector warned that councils placing children in unregistered homes could face downgraded performance ratings and penalties. Despite a 2021 ban, the use of illegal placements has grown, with some councils spending over £2 million each on a single child's placement last year. The regulator has never successfully prosecuted a provider since the practice emerged a decade ago.