§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of establishments registered to provide residential accommodation for children were the subject of(a) scheduled and (b) unannounced inspections in each of the last three years. [178495]
§ Margaret HodgeData are only available for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04 and have been provided by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.
In 2002–03 a total number of 1,172 children's homes were registered. In that period there were 1,031 announced inspections (88 per cent. of all registered children's homes) and 639 unannounced inspections (54.5 per cent. of all registered children's homes).
In 2003–04 a total of 1,956 children's homes were registered. In that period there were 1,683 announced inspections (86 per cent. of all registered children's homes) and 1,678 unannounced inspections (85.8 per cent. of all registered children's homes).
It must be taken into account that homes that have not been registered until the latter part of the year might not achieve the second (unannounced) inspection within the same year, although it should occur within the annual timeframe.