Unregistered care providers

1) How many children's care homes which are not registered with Ofsted are running in Lincolnshire?

2) How many unregistered care providers do Lincolnshire County Council use?

3) How many children in LCC's care are being looked after by unregistered care providers?

4) How much money did LCC spend on unregistered care providers in the last financial year?

5) How many foster places do LCC have?

6) How many registered children's care home places does LCC have access to?

7) Is there a shortage of foster and children's care home places in Lincolnshire?

1) We are aware of Ofsted registered children's care homes but would not be able to accurately declare the number of unregistered children's homes operating (if any) as they are unregistered.

2) As of 29 May 2026, five. This includes one which is CQC regulated for 16yrs+, one which is CQC registered for Adults, two with applications submitted for registration, and one for supported accommodation.

3) Five

4) £2,400,891

5) There are 146 placements with Independent Fostering Agencies. For more information on the Council's own Fostering service and private fostering arrangements, please see minutes and agenda items at the Council's Corporate Parenting Panel: https://lincolnshire.moderngov.co.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CId=647&Year=0

6) The Council has six in-house registered children's homes, including one for children with disabilities, that offer up to 39 places. In addition, the Council uses the Open Select List to commission external placements on an individual basis for children. More information on the Open Select List can be found at: https://professionals.lincolnshire.gov.uk/children%E2%80%99s-commissioning

7) Please see the Sufficiency Strategy and Market Position Statements on the above link.