Provision of the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations (1) | Old Fee (2) | New Fee (3) |
|---|---|---|
Regulation 4 (registration fees: voluntary adoption agencies) | ||
Paragraph (1)(a) | £3551 | £4068 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(i) | £3551 | £4068 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(ii) | £968 | £1161 |
Paragraph (2)(a) | £968 | £1161 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(i) | £3551 | £4068 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(ii) | £968 | £1161 |
Regulation 5 (registration fees: adoption support agencies) | ||
Paragraph (2) | £968 | £1161 |
Regulation 6 (registration fees: children’s homes) | ||
Paragraph (1) | £3842 | £4610 |
Paragraph (2) | £1394 | £1672 |
Regulation 7 (registration fees: residential family centres) | ||
Paragraph (2) | £1163 | £1395 |
Regulation 12 (variation fees: voluntary adoption agencies) | ||
Paragraph (3) | £161 | £193 |
Regulation 13 (variation fees: adoption support agencies) | ||
Paragraph (3) | £161 | £193 |
Regulation 14 (variation fees: children’s homes) | ||
Paragraph (3) | £233 | £279 |
Regulation 15 (variation fees: residential family centres) | ||
Paragraph (3) | £193 | £231 |
Regulation 16 (variation fees: fostering agencies) | ||
Paragraph (2) | £233 | £279 |
Regulation 16A (variation fees: supported accommodation undertakings) | ||
Paragraph (2) | £211 | £253 |
Regulation 19 (annual fees: boarding schools, residential colleges and residential special schools) | ||
Paragraph (1)(a) | £1223 | £1467 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(i) | £1223 | £1467 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(ii) | £74 | £88 |
Paragraph (1)(c) | £1921 | £2305 |
Paragraph (1)(d) | £2688 | £3225 |
Paragraph (1)(e) | £2856 | £3427 |
Paragraph (2)(a) | £1627 | £1952 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(i) | £1627 | £1952 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(ii) | £100 | £120 |
Paragraph (2)(c) | £2401 | £2881 |
Paragraph (3)(a) | £2993 | £3591 |
Paragraph (3)(b)(i) | £2993 | £3591 |
Paragraph 3(b)(ii) | £299 | £358 |
Regulation 20 (annual fees: voluntary adoption agencies) | ||
Paragraph (1)(a) | £2453 | £2943 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(i) | £2453 | £2943 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(ii) | £1301 | £1561 |
Paragraph (2)(a) | £1301 | £1561 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(i) | £2453 | £2943 |
Paragraph (2)(b)(ii) | £1301 | £1561 |
Regulation 21 (annual fees: adoption support agencies) | ||
Paragraph (2) | £1301 | £1554 |
Regulation 23 (annual fees: children’s homes) | ||
Paragraph (1)(a) | £3744 | £4492 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(i) | £3744 | £4492 |
Paragraph (1)(b)(ii) | £373 | £447 |
Paragraph (1)(c) | £8629 | £8267 |
Paragraph (1A)(a) | £5615 | £6738 |
Paragraph (1A)(b)(i) | £5615 | £6738 |
Paragraph (1A)(b)(ii) | £373 | £447 |
Regulation 26 (annual fees: local authority adoption and fostering functions) | ||
Paragraph (1)(a) | £2471 | £2715 |
Paragraph (1)(b) | £3216 | £2715 |
Regulation 26A (annual fees: supported accommodation undertakings) | ||
Paragraph (1) | £2700 | £3240 |
Paragraph (2) | £3000 | £3600 |
The Registration and Inspection of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025
These regulations, effective April 1st, 2025, amend the Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children's Homes etc.) Regulations 2015.
Key changes include lowering thresholds for higher annual fees for residential special schools and children's homes and revising various registration and variation fees across different settings.
The changes are supported by existing legislation and aim to balance resource allocation with fair charges.
Arguments For
Improved cost-effectiveness: Lowering thresholds for higher fees may streamline administrative processes and reduce the burden on smaller providers.
Fairer fee structure: Adjustments to fee amounts aim to ensure a more equitable system across various children's services settings.
Legal compliance: The amendments are made under the authority of several existing Acts of Parliament, ensuring the legal basis of these adjustments.
Resource allocation: The fee changes may contribute to optimized resource allocation for inspection and regulatory activities.
Arguments Against
Increased financial burden: Despite adjustments, fee increases for some services may create financial strain on certain providers.
Administrative challenges: Implementing the new fee structure might impose additional administrative burdens on those involved in registration, inspection and charging.
Unintended consequences: The adjustments may have unintended effects on the availability and accessibility of certain types of services.
Lack of broad consultation: The explanatory note suggests a lack of extensive impact assessment, leading to questions about the process's thoroughness.
Part 1Introductory
Citation, commencement and extent1.
(1)
These Regulations may be cited as the Registration and Inspection of Education, Children's Services and Skills (Fees) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2025.
(2)
These Regulations come into force on 1st April 2025.
(3)
These Regulations extend to England and Wales.
Part 1 provides introductory information.
Regulation 1 gives the regulations' title, effective date (April 1st, 2025), and geographic scope (England and Wales).
Interpretation2.
In these Regulations, “the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations” means the Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) Regulations 20154.
Regulation 2 defines "the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations" as the 2015 regulations which are amended by the current regulations.
Part 2Amendments to the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations
Amendments to the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations3.
The Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations are amended in accordance with the following provisions of this Part.
Part 2 details the amendments made to the 2015 regulations.
Regulations 3 states it will make amendments according to the subsequent regulations of this section.
Amendment to regulation 194.
In regulation 19 (boarding schools, residential colleges and residential special schools)—
(a)
in paragraph (3)(b) and (c), for “13” substitute “9”
;
(b)
in paragraph (3)(b)(ii), for “13th” substitute “9th”
.
Regulation 4 amends regulation 19 of the 2015 regulations, specifically parts (3)(b) and (3)(c).
The number '13' is replaced with '9', also changing '13th' to '9th', relating to the threshold of approved places where higher annual fees apply for boarding schools, residential colleges and residential special schools
Amendment to regulation 235.
In regulation 23 (children’s homes)—
(a)
in paragraph (1)(b) and (c), for “16” substitute “11”
;
(b)
in paragraph (1)(b)(ii), for “16th” substitute “11th”
.
Regulation 5 amends regulation 23 of the 2015 regulations, in paragraphs (1)(b) and (1)(c).
The number '16' is replaced with '11' and '16th' with '11th', adjusting the number of approved places that trigger higher annual fees for children's homes.
Substitution of certain fees payable under the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations6.
In each provision of the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations specified in column 1 of the table in the Schedule, for the amount specified in column 2 (old fee) substitute the amount specified in column 3 (new fee).
Regulation 6, along with the Schedule, updates several fee amounts within the 2015 regulations.
The Schedule specifies which provisions are amended and lists old and new fee amounts for each.
ScheduleSubstitution of certain fees payable under the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations
The Schedule provides a detailed table listing specific provisions within the 2015 regulations (column 1), their previous fee amounts (column 2), and their updated amounts (column 3).
This table covers various registration and annual fees for different types of organisations involved in children’s services and educational settings.
These Regulations, which apply in England only, amend the Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Fees and Frequency of Inspections) (Children’s Homes etc.) Regulations 2015 (S.I. 2015/551) (“the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations”).
Part 2 amends the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations.
Regulation 4 amends regulation 19 to lower the approved places threshold in respect of which a residential special school must pay a higher annual fee from between 4 – 13 places, to between 4 – 9 places.
Regulation 5 amends regulation 23 to lower the approved places threshold in respect of which a children’s home must pay a higher annual fee from between 4 – 16 places, to between 4 – 11 places.
Regulation 6 and the Schedule amend the Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations in respect of fees, setting out the new fees payable in respect of various settings under Parts 2, 3 and 4 of those Regulations.
A full impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as no, or no significant, impact on the private, voluntary, or public sector is foreseen.
An Explanatory Memorandum is published alongside this instrument at www.legislation.gov.uk.
The explanatory note summarizes the regulations' purpose (amending the 2015 regulations), outlines the key amendments (changing thresholds and fees), and states that a full impact assessment was not deemed necessary due to a lack of significant foreseen impact on various sectors.
It also mentions the availability of an Explanatory Memorandum.
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