Safeguarding Children in Out-of-Area and Unregistered Placements

This free event is designed to give you practical insight, confidence, and tools to better support children and young people placed out of area.

Join the NWG , the Supported Accommodation Partnership (SAP CIC) and ARU International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI) for a powerful, insight-driven learning event exploring the realities, risks, and responsibilities of out of area placements.

Drawing on findings from a recent national review, this session will spotlight both the challenges and strengths in current practice—helping you strengthen collaboration, sharpen your safeguarding response, and improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.

Aligned with Working Together 2026, we will examine how local authorities and multi-agency partnerships can respond more effectively to the growing complexity of out of area placements—particularly where exploitation risks are heightened.

Supported Accommodation Partnership (SAP CIC)

Hear directly from SAP CIC as they share practical, frontline-informed guidance to strengthen your approach, including:

• Top tips for safeguarding across boundaries, with a focus on professional curiosity
• Smart risk management: matching processes and impact risk assessments
• Supporting young people through key transitions—into, within, and beyond placements
• Effective multi-agency planning and information sharing
• Clear guidance on the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, including Regulation 28 and Out of Area Arrangements (OLAs)

Report by International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI)

ARU ( Anglia Ruskin University)

ARU will be discussing their scoping report which explores the issue of unregistered homes and the possible links to child exploitation, both criminal and sexual, and addresses the lack of academic research in this area.

“Our aim was to produce new data on the number of unregistered homes and children accommodated within them to give an up-to date national picture of the prevalence of the homes, and explore through qualitative data, from interviews with professionals working within this field, the current issues and challenges associated with unregistered homes, especially linked to the exploitation of children”

As part of our research, we sent FOI requests to all local authorities, asking for information on the number of unregistered homes in their area and the number of children known to be placed within them. There were stark inconsistencies in the way in which local authorities responded, some provided no information, some provided full information, and some said they were unable to provide information. A table outlining overall responses is included within the report”

This is an exploratory study which we hope will lead to further research into this topic.

All children deserve the chance of a supported and stable childhood; therefore, we believe that this topic deserves increased scrutiny. We hope that the recommendations within the publication will be helpful and of use to those responsible for the safeguarding of young people.

Get involved

This isn’t just a presentation—it’s a space for dynamic, reflective discussion.

You’ll have the opportunity to:

• Share experiences and challenges
• Learn from peers across regions
• Build confidence in managing complex placements
• Strengthen your role in safeguarding children across boundaries

Learning outcomes-

This event is designed to give you practical insight, confidence, and tools to better support children and young people placed out of area. You will build a deeper understanding of:

• The lived experiences and risks faced by looked-after children placed out of area, including exploitation
• How safeguarding systems protect and promote wellbeing—and where gaps remain
• The impact on local areas and services, including capacity, demand, and resource pressures
• Proven approaches and best practice you can implement locally
• How to respond to concerns around residential provision, including uncommissioned or ‘failing’ homes
• Opportunities to strengthen multi-agency working and escalate key issues regionally and nationally

Who is the course intended for?

All professionals and volunteers working with children and families who are being placed out of area.

Be part of the conversation shaping safer placements

Whether you work in children’s services, safeguarding, commissioning, or supported accommodation, this event will equip you with the insight and tools to make a real difference.

👉 Secure your place and join the movement to improve outcomes for children placed beyond their home area.