Apply to be connected with a children's social care service (SC2)
You might need to apply to Ofsted and provide them with certain information if you are connected with a children's social care service.
Applies to England
Who needs to apply
Ofsted needs to know about everyone with a governance or management role in a registered children’s social care service to make sure they are suitable to be around children.
You need to apply if you are involved in the governance or running of the service.
You must apply to be connected to the registration if you are:
- a director, company secretary, treasurer or trustee
- a responsible individual
You must also apply to be part of the official registration where you are:
- an individual provider
- a manager
- a member of a business partnership
You need to do this:
- as part of a new application to register a social care service with Ofsted
- if you are joining a registered service as the new registered manager or a member of the business partnership
Organisations set up for another purpose than providing social care
Directors do not need to apply if they are connected to a different part of the organisation that does not provide social care.
What you will need
You will need:
- a criminal records (DBS) check, unless you are a director – read guidance about DBS checks
- a health declaration form
- address details for the service
- your unique reference number or URN, if your service has been registered with Ofsted before
- details of previous businesses that you’ve run
- details of any financial interests you have in other organisations
- details of at least 2 professional referees – at least one should be from your last employer
- information about your qualifications and relevant experience
Directors and DBS checks
You do not have to get a DBS check unless you are also going to be the responsible individual for your service.
Fees
If you are a manager, there may be a one-off registration fee. The amount depends on the type and size of the service.
Apply now
If you, or your provider, has submitted an SC1 application started before 28 April 2023 that has not yet been approved by Ofsted, you will need to use the link that was emailed to you. You cannot use the button below to complete your SC2.
Connect with a children’s social care service
Residential holiday schemes for disabled children must contact Ofsted instead.
After you give us your details
We will review your information and contact you if we need more details.
We will carry out checks with your referees and relevant local authorities.
After this we will get in touch to arrange an interview.
Residential holiday schemes for disabled children
If you want to tell us you are joining a registered holiday scheme for disabled children you must contact Ofsted by emailing sc.admin@ofsted.gov.uk.
Help
If you need help with your application, call 0300 123 1231 (8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.
If you need an accessible version, email sc.admin@ofsted.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
Last updated 12 August 2021 + show all updates
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Clarified that responsible individuals only have to use this service when a new provider is applying to register with Ofsted. This is not a change in policy or law.
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Out of date PDF form removed. If you wish to join a residential holiday scheme for disabled children, you must follow the instructions to contact Ofsted.
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First published.