Reform of children's homes urgently needed
Children’s homes in England have been put in the spotlight as Ofsted publishes a series of critical reports.
Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said there is "overwhelming evidence that the system is not meeting the standards we should expect” and published a plan of action for reforming children’s homes.
De Souza said in her report: “Every day my team is intervening in cases where children are placed too far from home, severing links with friends and family.
“Or, perhaps most concerning, where children are being faced with being evicted at short notice and have no idea where in the country they will end up.
“In short, we need to have far higher standards about the homes in which we place our children.”
De Souza said children in homes should expect regular, in-person, visits from their social worker and access to independent advocacy if needed.
She set out seven core expectations that should be met for every child in a children’s home:
- To be given a place as close to home as possible
- For a place to be theirs as long as they need it
- To be heard, seen and safe
- To be supported to develop and maintain important relationships
- Access to education and mental health care
- The chance to develop and pursue their interests
- To be supported when leaving care to stay close and linked to their children’s homes
The children's commissioner report, however, was criticised by the National Centre of Excellence for Residential Child Care which claimed it painted an unhelpful and inaccurate picture of the sector. Principal partner Jonathan Stanley said: "They needed a wider research, knowledge, experience and evidence base. With this it's hard to think they would have made these conclusions. Any commissioner needs to be involved in turning the curve, not being behind it."
The chief inspector of Ofsted called for the law covering children’s homes to change so the regulator has greater oversight. She raised concern over the stability of privately run homes.
Amanda Speilman said: “When there are changes in a company that owns children’s homes, and key people leave, it can very rapidly destabilise individual homes.
“Often there is a rapid turnover of staff. That destabilises the home very quickly, and that destabilises young people’s lives.”
Ofsted has published a report revealing how the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated staff shortages in children’s social care.
This has had ‘serious consequences’ on the number of suitable places available, and the different needs staff can support.
The report states: “Some children are living in places where their needs are not being met, and in some cases are being placed in unregistered homes, without regulatory oversight.
“High numbers of agency social workers and high caseloads are also preventing purposeful work with children and families.”
The report also revealed concerns over children being placed far from family and widening gaps in provision for children with mental health needs.
Failing homes highlighted
Two damning Ofsted inspection reports highlighted failings at a privately run children’s home in Birmingham and a council-run home in Rochdale.
The Birmingham home run by DMR Services was found to be “dirty” and have “serious and widespread failures that mean children are not protected or their welfare is not promoted or safeguarded”.
Ofsted said the home run by Rochdale council failed to protect youngsters at risk of sexual exploitation or “effectively monitor” their whereabouts and activities.
Both homes were rated as ‘inadequate’.