It is often a struggle to find the right social care provider for children with the most complex needs. We want to help those wanting to open provision for them, and commissioners that are looking for suitable homes.
So, we have created a pre-registration online advice form so that these providers and commissioners can ask for advice and ask questions. This blog explains the challenges and how the form will work, and offers some advice on applying.
Children with complex needs
Local authorities often tell us that they have to place children in unregistered homes because they cannot find a legal option that meets a child’s specific needs. These children are usually placed alone, and the reason given is that they have complex needs. Many of these children are also the subject of deprivation of liberty orders (DLO).
Children who are living in registered children’s homes, including registered secure children’s homes, have care provided by individuals and organisations that Ofsted has deemed fit to provide that care. We determine this in line with children’s rights, professional standards and the law. We visit these homes at least once a year and gather information about the home throughout the year. This helps us to take prompt action when we believe children to be at risk of harm from poor or unsafe care.
Children living in unregistered homes don’t have this regulatory oversight. They are isolated. Many are subject to restrictions on their liberty, without the safeguards that children in registered secure accommodation are entitled to.
What we want to see
We want to encourage providers to open homes where they are needed most, and to open homes that can look after children with the greatest need.
We want registered managers to feel able to step up and look after children who have multiple needs. We want unregistered providers to apply to register with us, and to stop accommodating children in unregistered provision. And we want local authorities to have the resources to be able to make the best decisions for children.
Our new advice form
We have set up a new form so that you can ask us directly about registration matters.
We are working to improve our guidance, but we know that it is not always easy to find the information that you need for your application.
We want to hear from providers who want to provide high-quality care for the children who need it most. If you want to provide bespoke care and accommodation to meet children’s unique and complex needs, then you may have questions about things like:
- arrangements for staffing
- the home environment
- boundaries you may need to impose on children’s liberty.
The form will aim to answer these questions, and others you may have.
How it works
It is a simple online enquiry form. We will try to deal with all queries promptly and sensitively. The advice that you receive will be tailored to your query. We may then:
- point you to the correct published advice
- email to ask for more information
- connect you with a colleague who can help.
However we respond, we want to give you the best information. We want to help you to make an informed decision on whether you should apply to open a home that cares for children with unique and complex needs.
Our advice form will help you to explore any concerns that you may have about what we expect in a registration application. And it will offer advice on how you can demonstrate to us that the service you intend to provide will be equipped to support children in those difficult periods as well as when things are going well.
Understanding your context and challenges
We have seen some growth in homes that provide bespoke care for highly vulnerable children. We want to reassure you that inspection outcomes in these homes are the same as they are for all other homes. We have seen some excellent examples of how well children can thrive when the home focuses on meeting their needs.
It is important that staff have the necessary knowledge and skills. They should be able to provide support for children in the least restrictive and most flexible way. They should enable children to access education, improve their health and begin to build a more positive future.
When we inspect, we will explore with you how you and your staff are equipped to provide the best support to vulnerable children with complex support needs.
Our inspectors also understand that children will rarely experience a smooth trajectory of upward progress. Sometimes children are overwhelmed by their past experiences and immediate difficulties.
Tips for applying
There are some things that you can do to help your application to progress smoothly.
A skilled and experienced manager
Your manager should of course meet the regulations for children’s homes managers. But they should also be skilled and experienced in supporting the needs of the children you intend to accommodate.
They should be able to:
- build relationships with children who may not have experienced stable relationships in the past
- provide good leadership to the staff team, and work with them to overcome the difficulties they may face in helping children to thrive and stay safe
- use their skills in multi-disciplinary working to coordinate the completion and delivery of a child’s care plan
- challenge the contribution of other professionals, to get children the help that they need, or promote children’s aspirations.
A committed responsible individual
Your responsible individual should:
- be able to meet the regulations for children’s homes responsible individuals, including being a director or senior postholder of your organisation
- be able to provide a strong commitment to the home, visiting frequently to provide essential management oversight and an opportunity for reflection about how the staff team is working together in children’s best interests
- have good skills in building relationships of trust with children, communicate well with them, and understand their needs.
A suitable property
Your property should:
- have the correct planning permission
- be organised to help keep children safe in the least restrictive way
- have an environment that is reflective of the needs and wishes of children who will live there
- be able to be changed as children change
- have places where children can be safely and restfully alone, and areas for social gatherings
- allow children and staff the room to live at ease with each other and be safe.
A strong staff team
Your staff should be:
- recruited safely
- selected by a process that includes values and skills-based interviews
- resilient and capable of caring for children in sometimes difficult circumstances
- an essential part of an open and transparent culture that helps to keep children safe and cared for.
Conclusion
As we said, we want children with the most complex needs to be able to find and access appropriate social care and support.
We hope, by reassuring providers about inspections, setting up the advice form and offering these tips, we can do our bit to encourage more of the right settings in the right places to open.