Ofsted Registration Support

Expert Ofsted registration consultancy for children’s homes

At Delphi Care we help you register a children’s home with Ofsted with confidence and clarity.

Ofsted registration can feel overwhelming. SC1 and SC2 forms, Statement of Purpose, core policies, evidence, timelines, and the risk of missing something critical. Our Ofsted registration support keeps you on track from day one.

Whether you need full Ofsted registration support or targeted help, our consultants guide you through every step so your application is robust, compliant, and ready to submit.

There when you need us...

We support children’s home providers across the UK with practical, step by step through the Ofsted registration process. We work in partnerships with your leadership team to ensure your applications meet the requirements of the Children’s Home Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards, and are clear, consistent, and ready for Ofsted scrutiny.

Our consultants provide structured support with SC1 and SC2 applications, the development of the Statement of Purpose, core policies and procedures, and the collation of a robust evidence base to demonstrate fitness to operate. We help providers anticipate and respond to Ofsted queries, avoid common registration delays, and maintain momentum through realistic timescales and a clear compliance action plan.

Call: 0330 133 3002

Email customer-care@delphi.care

Get in touch today to discuss your Ofsted registration package and next steps.

What does our Ofsted consultancy service include?

Ofsted Registration Support

Setting up a children’s home and getting registered can feel complex. We provide clear, structured support to help you move forward with confidence and avoid common delays.

Our support includes guidance through SC1 and SC2 applications, C2 planning support, business plan development, pre-registration home walk-throughs, and mock fit person questions for the Registered Manager and Responsible Individual, ensuring you are fully prepared for Ofsted scrutiny.

Mandatory Policies and Documents

Strong documentation is one of the most effective ways to demonstrate readiness, control, and regulatory compliance. We ensure your documentation is clear, consistent, and inspection ready.

We support the development of all six core policies, the statement of purpose, the Regulation 46 location risk assessment, a robust business continuity plan, and a workforce development plan aligned to regulatory expectations.

Regulation 44 Visitor Monthly

Monthly Regulation 44 visits are a requirement under the Children’s Home Regulations 2015. The visits help you stay inspection ready and spot issues early by reviewing different areas of practice and standards.

We can provide an independent visitor to undertake thematic audits, gathering feedback from children, staff, managers and key stakeholders. Findings are compiled into a detailed written report with clear, actionable recommendations to drive improvement over the following month. Reports will be shared with the regulator, supporting transparency, accountability and informing future lines of enquiry.

Regulation 45 Report (Six Monthly)

Regulation 45 of the Children’s Home Regulations 2015 requires providers to complete a comprehensive audit and produce a detailed written report at least every six months. Getting this right is critical, as it directly informs the areas inspectors will explore.

We provide an experienced consultant to support the preparation and drafting of the report over two focused days, ensuring clear evidence is presented, strengths are accurately captured, and priority areas for improvement are clearly identified and action focused.

Compliance Audits (Quarterly)

Quarterly audits support consistent standards and ongoing compliance with regulatory requirements. Each audit provides a comprehensive review of the home, with practical, prioritised actions that can be implemented immediately.

A consultant, or the Responsible Individual if provided, completes a compliance audit which is regulation-based and SCCIF-aligned, ensuring both legal compliance and inspection readiness.

Mock Inspections (Annually)

A mock inspection removes uncertainty and supports teams to perform with confidence under inspection conditions. It provides a clear picture of what is working well and what needs strengthening ahead of a formal inspection.

A consultant attends annually and completes a full mock inspection aligned to the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF), producing a written report in an Ofsted-style format, including an indicative overall judgement and clear recommendations. A structured action plan is then implemented to address gaps, strengthen compliance, and ensure ongoing inspection readiness.

Recruitment Subscription

Recruiting the right leadership and building a stable staffing structure is critical to regulatory compliance, service quality, and positive outcomes for children. We support providers to reduce reliance on agency staffing and strengthen continuity of care.

Delphi supports the recruitment of Registered Managers, Responsible Individuals, and wider staffing as required. Flexible subscription options are available on a monthly or annual basis, enabling providers to develop and maintain a reliable, ongoing pool of workers.

Responsible Individual Service

Regulation 26 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 requires every children’s home to appoint a capable Responsible Individual who can provide effective governance, oversight, and accountability. We can provide an experienced Responsible Individual to support leadership and ensure the service remains compliant and on track week to week.

This is delivered through a rolling contract and includes regular weekly visits, operational support to the Registered Manager, ongoing audits, and professional advice during working hours. Attendance at Ofsted inspections is provided where possible.

Our service is more than just consultancy, it’s a partnership.

Get in touch with our Ofsted experts today.

A service designed to help you achieve Ofsted readiness and long term compliance.

Bespoke Guidance and Support

Our consultants tailor support to your setting, your leadership team, and your timelines so you stay focused on what Ofsted will expect from day one.

Actionable Improvement Plans

From registration through to monitoring visits, you receive clear actions, priorities, and practical next steps that your team can implement immediately.

Experienced Ofsted Specialists

Work with experts who have practical experience in compliance with the Children’s Home Regulations 2015 and Quality tandards, Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) and understand what good evidence looks like across leadership, care, and safeguarding.

Practical Tools and Documentation

We help you build the core documents and evidence base that supports inspection readiness, including policies, Statement of Purpose, risk assessments, and workforce planning.

Recent feedback from our clients.

Our Institute of Medical Imaging and Visualisation team found your knowledgeable and timely services extremely helpful in successfully securing our CQC registration. Thank you for all the help.

Bournemouth University

"Sarah McCormack's approach to measuring compliance against the current CQC methodology is exemplary. Sarah has a wealth of knowledge and understanding about the complexities of adult social care and demonstrated this throughout her visit and her different conversations with our staff team.

She was friendly, communicated well and actively listened to all of our team during her recent assessment of one of our services. She was clear about the information she needed, was coaching and supportive in her feedback and most importantly spent time with our residents to understand a 'day in their lives' of living in one of our services.

Staff felt confident to be able to speak with Sarah throughout the visit and I firmly believe that her approach will have boosted our team's confidence to be able to speak with a CQC inspector when they visit."

Lucy Bland

Head of Regulation and Compliance

Rotherwood Healthcare

"I am delighted to inform you that following our recent inspection, a recommendation for an 'Outstanding' rating has been submitted to the panel. This remarkable achievement would not have been possible without the exceptional services provided by Delphi Care Solutions.

Your team's expertise and unwavering support have been instrumental in guiding us through this journey. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and professionalism that Delphi Care has consistently demonstrated. Thank you once again for your invaluable assistance."

Nqabutho Sibanda

Director

Elborough Care Services

"I am now registered with the CQC. Thanks again for all the help, support and wonderful service. I will be recommending you to all my colleagues in the future. Sean was a great help. He made the whole process smooth and painless. Highly recommended."

Dr Israar Ul-Haq MRCP, MRCGP

The Private GP (Walsall)

"We provide housing and support for adults with learning disabilities and mental health needs, with many of our services registered with the CQC.

In December 2024, we commissioned Delphi to carry out a mock CQC inspection across one registration covering four services. The inspection was led by an experienced ex-CQC inspector, resulting in a thorough report rated using CQC methodology.

We received a detailed action plan, and the whole process was professional, insightful, and highly valuable. We found the service extremely helpful and would highly recommend it."