Children's Homes

New updates have been added to the Memorandum of Understanding between Ofsted and DfE: 'Secure Children's Homes'; it outlines working arrangements between the DfE and Ofsted, to ensure that children’s homes offer safe, good quality care to children.

Children leaving care

Considerable research has been conducted into the area of children returning home following a period in care. The government has set out guidelines on improving practice in respect of children who leave care to return home. This article offers advice on helping children re-settle back into their homes and the risks posed to these children is addressed by the NSPCC here.

Children’s Centre Census 2015

The Children’s Centre Census 2015 has been published by 4Children; it provides an overview of the major trends and developments taking place in Children’s Centres across the country. This year the Census received responses from nearly 400 Centre managers, collectively responsible for approximately 1,000 Children’s Centre sites nationwide.

A Census of the Children’s Homes Workforce

A research report by the Department of Education (DoE) provides a snapshot of the children’s homes sector in 2013. Providing detailed information about staff qualifications, data on staff pay, training and Continuous Professional Development in the sector, it also gives an overview of services offered by homes and the type of staff employed. The findings are being used to inform the DoE’s children’s home reform programme. The full report can be viewed here.

'Staying Put' in children's homes

Following a four-week consultation involving children/young people in care and adult care leavers, leading organisations have backed a proposal for extending so-called 'Staying Put' arrangements to children’s homes. The study also highlights the importance of each young person having a choice about what happens to them when they turn 18. Click here to view.