Childrens Homes Improvement
We care as much as you do
Opening the door to excellence
About Us
We provide consultancy to help children's homes improve, ensure effective safeguarding and evidence the provision of high quality care. For homes, organisations and local authorities this can include training, support to improve ahead of or after inspection and provision of Regulation 44 Visitors. Tell us what you need and we will tailor our support to meet your needs.
Our Values
- We focus on Support to improve outcomes for children and young people
- We Empower individuals to take responsibility, be open and be honest
- We Inspire innovations in practice and new ways of thinking
- We Collaborate to build trusting effective relationships
Take a look at what people say about us.
Services
Training & Development
It could be you are looking for management supervision or you want some team coaching to improve the development of your home. Or perhaps you want a management development programme for your managers.
Maybe you have requirements or compliance notices from Ofsted around staff training and development.
Or perhaps its been a difficult time at your home and you want to do a team debrief to relieve stress and identify learning.
Examples of recently delivered training include:
Building Positive Relationships - a 1 day course for staff and management to reflect on themselves and how they can build a relationship based culture in their home.
Staff Welfare Debrief and Learning Identification - a 1 day workshop which is aimed as moving staff forward following significant incidents at the home, such as suspension of registration and children have to be moved.
Reflective Supervision Skills - a 1 day course which enables supervisors to provide supervision which meets regulations and aids development.
Effective Investigations - a 1 day course which enables staff who undertake investigations in the context of grievance, disciplinary etc, to gain an understanding of how to prepare, conduct and conclude an investigation. This course can be moulded to reflect your policies and procedures.
Safeguarding - a 1 day course for staff to gain the safeguarding skills they need to act appropriately and confidently to protect the children they work with. Enabling all staff to understand the key principles in safeguarding, to define and identify risk and have clear understanding what to do with safeguarding concerns.
All our stand alone training can be moulded to suit your needs and we are happy to develop bespoke training and development to move your home to excellence.
All our stand alone training can be moulded to suit your needs and we are happy to develop bespoke training and development to move your home to excellence.
Certificates are provided for all of our training.
Whatever your requirements we are here to help - just drop us a line and we will get right back to you. contact us
Regulation 44 Visits
Acting as a critical friend our aim is to keep managers challenged and drive continuous improvement.
Our reports are focused and targeted on outcomes providing a detailed action plan aligned to the Regulations and Standards.
Our Regulation 44 Visitors are fully vetted, experienced and knowledgeable professionals. They have all been trained in conducting thorough and rigorous monthly visits.
If you are committed to the continued improvement of your homes then get in touch and let us see how we can help you. Contact us.
Take a look at what people say about our visits.
Ofsted Preparation
We offer rigorous mock inspections which will enable to you to be more prepared.
Our mock inspections are based on the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) which includes The Childrens Homes Regulations 2015 and Quality Standards.
Mock inspections take place over 1 or 2 days dependent on what your want us to look at.
Following each mock inspection we provide a comprehensive report of our findings with clear recommendations for action.
We are also provide support to homes who are seeking registration with Ofsted.
Contact us now to see how we can support you.
Take a look at what people say about us.
Professional Management Supervision
We offer supportive, reflective supervision from a qualified social care professional. Our aim is to provide you with the space to reflect, breath and plan.
Our sessions can take place by phone, Skype or face to face whichever is your preference with written notes for your records and evidence for Ofsted.
If you would like to know more about how we can help you then please get in touch for an informal discussion. Contact us
Independent Investigations
We understand the need to ensure investigations are impartial and robust.
Our experienced investigating officers provide the additional capacity or distance you need to investigate any issue. We provide a detailed report with recommendations which is aligned to your policies where required.
Our experience includes:
- disciplinary
- grievance
- whistle blowing
- incident learning review
Useful Resources
Make sure you fully understand the legal and regulatory framework and further your journey to excellence.
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This toolkit sets out skills and qualities that practitioners need if they are to help young people to manage risk in their lives.
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Gain a better understanding of the policies which support care leavers to ensure you are supporting young people with their transition.
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Occupational Therapists are often asked that question to rule out sensory sensitivities or sensory integration challenges as an underlying cause for a behaviour that can’t be explained.
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The guidance Ofsted inspectors will use to evaluate how providers, managers and carers create a positive environment where children can live and learn and where staff interact positively with children.
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Guidance for providers on registering a children’s home with Ofsted when the care and accommodation is provided in more than one building
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Created by BASW England the “top-tips” guide identifies how to record in a way which is reflective and children and families focussed. The guide also outlines how social workers can be more succinct in their recording.
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My things matter - support and respect care-experienced children and their belongings when they move
Reports on children's experiences of moving when in care. Considers online survey results from children, young people and professionals in England and Wales in 2021. Finds that: 80 per cent of children and young people said their belongings were moved in binbags during their time in care; and that only 1 in 3 local authorities have formal written guidance to help children and young people move successfully.
Read MoreWhat People Say
This is Angela’s first visit to the home, as our regulation 44 consultant and immediately, I can see I significant improvement in the level of critique and recommendations within this report. Angela’s insight and attention to detail is going to be of significant benefit to our homes and enable us to further develop our services.
Responsible Individual - Private Home The current independent visitor monitors the progress and well-being of the children effectively. Visits were carried out virtually but have now returned to on-site. The reports are detailed, provide challenge and drive improvement.
Ofsted Assurance VisitPrivate Chidrens Home Monthly visits to the home by an independent person have identified improvement areas. These have been actively addressed by the management team and, over time, there has been a clear improvement arc.
OFSTED ReportPrivate Children's Home I would like to thank our Reg 44 Visitor for the monthly input she has within the home. Her comments, guidance and feedback are proving to be very useful, helpful and resourceful.
Registered ManagerPrivate Childrens Home A strength of the home is the quality of the independent visitor
s report. The pertinent issues are identified with good challenge and accountability of the manager.
OFSTED Inspection ReportPrivate Children's Home The external monitoring visits have the potential to contribute to improving practice if the managers act on the findings. The visits offer challenge and scrutiny and provide a balanced view of the home.
OFSTED ReportPrivate Children's Home An independent visitor provides a comprehensive report on the running of the home,
identifying the pertinent issues and making clear recommendations to aid
compliance with the regulations.
OFSTED ReportPrivate Children's Home This was my first Regulation 44 visit in and I genuinely found this to be a very useful experience especially as a new manager.
New Registered ManagerVoluntary Sector Childrens Home This report is a balanced record , the Reg 44 visitor maintains her the professional challenge in relation to the management and running of the home.
Responsible IndividualPrivate Childrens Home 'The registered manager appreciates the increasingly effective external monthly monitoring, which she says gives her useful critical challenge to improve.'
OFSTED ReportLocal Authority Children's Home It has been refreshing to have an independent person visit the home and support management. Staff on duty felt the inspection has reminded them of their job role and expectations.
Registered ManagerLocal Authority Childrens Home The pre-registration support we received played a massive part in our successful registration with Ofsted.
ProviderPrivate Childrens Home This first Regulation 44 report is a very thorough document that gives clear information about the lived experience of young people alongside our compliance with statutory duties and responsibilities.
Responsible IndividualLocal Authority Childrens Home Having independent external supervision has helped me to focus on what I need to achieve both as a manager and with my team.
Registered ManagerPrivate Childrens Home I found the training thought provoking, it really made me think about how I work with young people and what I am trying to achieve.
Building Positive Relationship Training Private Childrens Home Residential Support WorkerPrivate Childrens Home What did you enjoy most about this session?
Was interactive, thought provoking and made role feel less isolated. Came away from training with lots of reading and ideas. Time passed quickly as was all relevant and useful discussion. Trainer made group feel relaxed and able to be open and honest on areas not confident in. Thank you
Responsible Individual Training Surrey County CouncilSenior Manager What did you enjoy most about the session?
Improving my knowledge which I will be able to implement within my work and improve practice.
Private Residential Childrens Home - BirminghamDeputy Manager What did you enjoy most about the session?
The facilitator! Plus all the knowledge and experience she brought and how to think about your role from a different angle.
Responsible Individual Training Surrey County CouncilSenior Manager Great training and really helpful to develop my pratice.
Private Residential Childrens Home - BirminghamRegistered Manager Thank you I feel well informed
Private Residential Childrens Home - BirminghamHR Manager Angela, I found my supervision positively challenging this month and I was left reflecting....
We discussed lots of different aspects regarding the trials and tribulations of children’s homes and the issues that we face. I find your insight and experience really useful
Registered Manager - Childrens HomePrivateContact US
- Wolverhampton, England, United Kingdom
Events
Introduction Managing staff in children’s homes requires a unique blend of empathy, resilience, and strategic performance management. Creating a positive work environment not only enhances staff well-being but also directly impacts the quality of care provided to children. This course explores effective strategies for positive performance management and fostering a culture of resilience among staff in children’s homes. Course Overview Our interactive 3.5-hour course is specifically tailored for those with management responsibilities in children’s homes. It provides practical tools and insights to help managers create a supportive and resilient work environment, ensuring the best possible care for children. Delivery - The virtual classroom is hosted on Zoom. Participants need access to a laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone, a quiet and private space to join from, and to have made sure they can access Zoom. Certificate will be provided.
Are you a manager in a children’s home or supported accommodation? Enhance your skills and ensure the highest standards of care with our comprehensive, full-day, face-to-face training on effective investigation procedures. This course is designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct thorough and fair investigations. You will gain an understanding of organisational policies and procedures, learn how to determine when an investigation is needed, and establish clear terms of reference. Our training will guide you through drafting an investigation plan, identifying sources of evidence, and effectively communicating with all relevant parties. You will also master the art of conducting investigation meetings, including recording and documenting these sessions and employing effective questioning techniques. Learn how to evaluate evidence critically and draw conclusions based on the balance of probabilities. The course will also cover the structure and content of writing comprehensive investigation reports and making informed recommendations. By the end of this training, you will be more confident in concluding the investigation process, discussing reports, attending hearings, and reviewing policies or procedures. This course not only enhances your professional capabilities but also ensures you can provide the best possible support and care for the young people in your charge. Join us to improve your investigative skills and contribute to a safer, more supportive environment for children and young people. Refreshments and lunch are provided. Certificate will be provided.
Articles
What does 'love' mean in the context of childrens social care?
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It outlines the various support systems that can help registered managers in addressing the specific needs of the children under their care.
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This article provides guidance to registered managers on how to exercise professional curiosity in a children's home.
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The article explores how positive performance management can create a supportive and nurturing environment for children in registered homes, enhancing their overall experience and development.
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Management Training Childrens Residential registration of interest
Opening the door to excellence
Many thanks
The CHI Team