Tragedy of impending policy a rug placed over a trapdoor over an oubliette
The Care Review, now Children's WellBeing + outriding legislation, is for Residential Child Care "no more than a rug placed over a trapdoor" (TLS 08 08 25) over an oubliette…
Minding Our Language – Changing the Way we Talk About Children in Care
Lots of people have helpfully written about the importance of language in ‘the care system’ and in particular how that can impact on children and young people. Some of that…
Therapeutic Child Care Standards – Definitive for Practice
second-edition-therapeutic-child-care-standards-cofc-ccqi-2025.pdf These are essential for providers and commissioners to know… Many residential and foster care services describe themselves as offering therapeutic care but there has been no agreed standard available…
The Economic Bubble that is English Residential Child Care Today
A contribution to the Public Accounts Committee Financial sustainability of children’s care homes Inquiry It is necessary to understand Residential Child Care as an economic bubble. In doing so we…
New Ofsted Announcement Triggers Call for Inquiry into Supported Accommodation
A new announcement by government is yet another reason for an Education Select Committee inquiry into Supported Accommodation. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/connecting-people-to-a-supported-accommodation-service The change removes a vital step in assessment of suitability and…
New important thinking about vulnerability – NCERCC research evaluation for use in practice in Residential Child Care
From trait to state: how Ofsted might consider conceptualising vulnerability for inspection and regulation This research was commissioned by Ofsted and carried out by Research in Practice, which is a…
Summary: Looked After Children (Distance Placements) Bill Jake Richards MP
A Bill to require local authorities to publish information about looked after children in distance placements; to require local authorities to develop and publish sufficiency plans in respect of their…
Summary of relevant policy areas for Residential Child Care: Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill
Regulating provider groups New powers to Ofsted - ‘parent undertakings’ for providers with multiple settings Ofsted ability to require provider to develop and implement an improvement plan when it is…
An open letter to Parliamentarians: Is no one to speak on behalf of Residential Child Care?
Dear Parliamentarians We are writing following spending some time reading the Commons and Lords debates regarding the Children’s Wellbeing Bill and Placements at distance bills. We are very concerned with…
Relational Commissioning Brings New Job Title – Children’s Relationship Placement Making
A new commissioning ethos brings a new role as commissioner as ‘the glue’, ‘a facilitator’, ‘an enabler’ and ‘a connector’, providing ‘a population-eye view’ of issues, and using collaboration and…