The guidelines for student housing at colleges have been updated.

From 1 September, the governing bodies of colleges and the proprietors of 16-19 academies must comply with the revised standards.

Ofsted will take them into account in deciding whether or not an institution has complied with its duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children for whom accommodation is provided.

‘Safeguarding and welfare’

The standards were last revised in 2002, and the government’s consultation response states that much has changed in terms of the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of students since then.

The new standards follow a similar, but more concise format, of the boarding school standards - last updated in 2015. The school standards have been adapted to fit an FE context.

The Department for Education published its consultation response on the same day it set out its new guidelines which come into force at the beginning of September.

In response to the consultation, 81 per cent of respondents said that the standards were suitable for the full range of colleges and 16-19 academies. And while two-thirds of respondents said that there would be no disproportionate effect on particular students, one third expressed some concern about the impact on students with disabilities and LGBT students.

Want to keep up with the latest education news and opinion? Follow Tes on Twitter and like Tes on Facebook