Ofsted have published a tough new framework to raise care quality for vulnerable children.
Ofsted today demanded children’s care homes can score no less than ‘good’ in the next series of inspections that will target homes across South West London.
Despite living in difficult times with pressure on the public purse, Ofsted have published a tough new framework open to consultation, to raise care quality for the country’s most vulnerable children.
Bridges Lane Children’s Home in Croydon is one of many to be thoroughly inspected in the next review with focus on the overall experiences and progress of young people living in the home.
Ofsted’s National Director for Social Care, Debbie Jones, said: “Children’s homes are and should be a positive option for children and young people and as such we want the staff to be the best they can and to do the most they can for children and young people.
“We also want to clearly identify those homes that are not doing enough.”
The consultation sets out the criteria for ‘good’ as the benchmark and minimum standard that children and young people should expect.
Coram Voice is a charity which offers help to young people who are living in care or have recently left care and need extra support and services in south west London and other areas.
Wendy Lewington, Deputy Director of Policy at Coram Voice, said:
“It’s important that Ofsted have focused on listening to children and young people as part of the inspection process, the most important driver of the judgement on these inspections is the progress that children and young people are making.
“We plan to hold focus groups with young people so that we communicate their views in our response to this consultation.”
Ebonycare in Streatham and Whistlers Walk Children’s Home in Fulham are other children’s homes that will also be included in the heightened inspections.
Fifi Wahlberg @BubblesWahlberg, tweeted: ‘The children in homes r still part of the future of our nation so we’d better look after them too #ChildrenArePriority’
Ofsted say they are seeking to gather the widest possible range of views from those who have an interest in the provision for children looked after in homes.
The consultation will close on 21 February and the new framework will take effect from April 2014 and can be found on Ofsted’s website: http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/resources/inspection-of-childrens-homes-consultation-document-2013
Photo courtesy of Blue Square Thing, with thanks.
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