Reg 44

The independent Regulation 44 visitor’s role is to critically examine and scrutinise:

• The way that the children’s home is carried on or managed.

• The quality of care that the children’s home provides for children accommodated there.

It is a requirement that someone completely independent of the organisation and/or the day-to-day running of the home or any other home in the organisation is to undertake the task on behalf of the provider.

With this in mind, we offer independent inspections to a wide range of provisions at very competitive rates, with highly experienced inspectors with a wealth of knowledge.

We offer a professional, effective and reliable service.
We will provide totally impartial and independent inspectors from a range of social care backgrounds who will provide your inspection and additional support for your provision. We are not there to criticise or pick fault; we are there to support you and your team, offering advice and awareness and most of all ensuring the best care for all our children looked after.

We focus on the quality of care and the ability to meet the needs of the young people you look after. The inspection visit will look at how the home operates on a day-to-day basis as well as how needs are identified and met, all of which will be measured against the quality standards for children’s homes and children’s home regulations. Any areas of development will be discussed with the manager and staff where appropriate to do so and reported together with recommendations for improvement. Good practice should always be encouraged, acknowledged and shared.

We can provide an unannounced home visit. Staff, children and young people will be spoken to and a visual inspection of the building and surrounding environment carried out. A detailed report will be produced using the Reg 44 inspection format.

All positives, concerns and matters raised by young people and staff will be included in the report where appropriate, with recommendations and advice offered. We will take responsibility to circulate Regulation 44 reports to the home’s manager, responsible individual, commissioners for your children looked after and Ofsted.

Summary of a Regulation 44 Inspection

1. Review of Last Inspection & Any Actions

2. Quality of Care

• Young person’s interview

• Staff interview

• Parents’ and relatives’ views and evidence of views on the home

• Social workers, IRO and other professionals’ views on the home

• Physical condition of the home

• Complaints

3. Safeguarding

• Actions and consequences

• Missing from home – absences

• Risk management plans

• Accidents and injuries

• Behaviour management plans

• Privacy and confidentiality

• Anti-bullying

• Reg 40 notification of events

• Visitors to the home

• Recruitment & selection

4. Outcomes for Young People

• Emotional wellbeing

• Medication and medical treatment

• Education/achievements

• Young people’s meetings

5. Leadership & Management

• Supervisions, appraisals, management checks

• Staff meetings

• Ratio/rotas

• Drills, tests and equipment

• Home’s daily logs and diary events

• Risk assessments

• Installation & health and safety checks

6. Equality & Diversity

• Young person’s plan

• Living area

7. Evaluation

• Feedback to the home’s manager & responsible individual

Legislation & Guidance

Quality Standards for Children’s Homes

The following standards (the quality standards) are prescribed for the purposes of section 22(1A) of the Care Standards Act 2000 in relation to children’s homes:

• The Quality and Purpose of Care Standard (Reg 6)

• The Children’s Views, Wishes and Feelings Standard (Reg 7)

• The Education Standard (Reg 8)

• The Enjoyment and Achievement Standard (Reg 9)

• The Health and Well-Being Standard (Reg 10)

• The Positive Relationships Standard (Reg 11)

• The Protection of Children Standard (Reg 12)

• The Leadership and Management Standard (Reg 13)

• The Care Planning Standard (Reg 14)