UNREGULATED accommodation is checked thoroughly before Bracknell Forest’s cared-for youngsters are housed there, the council’s children’s boss has claimed.

This assertion comes after the Children’s Commissioner for England published a report suggesting semi-independent unregulated accommodation was “substandard” and “inappropriate” for young people.

A Freedom of Information request showed that eight 16-17 year-olds in the care of Bracknell Forest Council (BFC) are living in such accommodation.

READ MORE: These Greene King pubs are at risk of closing down

Another 20 of BFC’s ‘care leavers’ are living in accommodation provided by unregulated private providers.

These living spaces are used when children typically over the age of 16 need support to live independently rather than needing full-time care.

But critics of this type of accommodation say these homes are often ‘unchecked’ and ‘unsafe’ for youngsters.

An investigation into the issue from The Children’s Commissioner found “some of the country’s most vulnerable teenagers are being housed in accommodation that is barely fit for human habitation, without the protection, care and support they need to lead full and happy lives.”

Commissioner Anne Longfield, who published the report, said: “For too long children have been placed in this inappropriate accommodation as the sector has gone unchecked, with some providers making large profits from substandard and unsafe accommodation while offering little to no support.

READ MORE: Top Bracknell businessman fears for the future of The Lexicon

“Ultimately it is the one in eight children in care who spend time in unregulated accommodation who pay the price.

“These children are often left in extremely vulnerable situations, putting them at increased risk of exploitation by organised criminal gangs or abusers.

“Every parent wants their children to have stable, secure homes with access to the support and care they need. Nobody would willingly put their own child in the sort of places and situations that this report highlights.”

Bracknell Forest has more 16-17 year-olds in this type of accommodation than the Royal borough, which has five, but fewer than its other Berks neighbours.

Wokingham houses ten youngsters in this housing, while Slough and West Berkshire have 15 each.

READ MORE: Film crews reportedly spotted in Bracknell

The News asked Bracknell Forest Council to comment on its placing of eight youngsters in these homes.

Councillor Gareth Barnard, Children, Young People and Learning boss, said: “Bracknell Forest Council commissions a range of accommodation to meet the needs of looked after children and young people in the borough and our utmost priority is their safety and wellbeing.

“Unregulated accommodation is only ever used for young people aged 16 and over, and following a careful assessment of a young person’s needs and suitability for this type of support.

“All semi-independent providers offering this accommodation must satisfy the council’s required due diligence checks and comply with local authority and national procurement regulations.

“As part of the ongoing monitoring of all semi-independent providers, the council’s experts in social care and commissioning review each provider’s documentation and policies.

“All of this is overseen by a Care Governance Board which manages the standards of all care and support providers and takes any necessary actions to improve quality wherever needed.

“Bracknell Forest Children’s Social Care is regulated by Ofsted who undertake annual assurance visits. This year’s visit in March included a specific focus on children living in unregulated care. Ofsted considered the information provided to them and confirmed that they required no further information or assurance about the Council’s approach.”