Proposals on professional registration of all children’s home staff being considered

Proposals to bring in professional registration of all staff in children’s homes are being considered in a bid to ensure young people “are kept safe, have their needs met and receive the best support to fulfil their potential”.

The Government insisted the safety and well-being of disabled children with complex health needs is one of its “most fundamental priorities” as it responded to a review which had called for a major overhaul of regulation to prevent abuse of such children.

The Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel published recommendations in April for a more joined-up approach to the care of disabled children in care homes, warning that otherwise “appalling harm” suffered by this vulnerable group could be repeated.

The panel had looked into three residential settings – Fullerton House (pictured), Wilsic Hall and Wheatley House – registered as children’s homes and operated by the Hesley Group in Doncaster, between January 2018 and March 2021.

It found a culture of abuse and harm, including evidence of physical abuse, violence, neglect, emotional abuse and sexual harm.

Looking at the experiences of 108 children and young adults, it found that some of society’s most vulnerable people had experienced “systematic and sustained” abuse and neglect over a period of more than three years, with the safety net that should have protected them proving ineffective.

The panel made nine recommendations to Government departments, inspectorates and NHS England, including joint inspections by Ofsted and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of residential settings, and “more substantive action” to address concerns about leadership development, workforce standards and training, amid high levels of staff vacancies, turnover and reliance on agency staff in the sector.

The panel said national leadership and investment by providers is “urgently required” to address longstanding challenges in recruiting, retaining and developing a skilled workforce in residential settings.

On Monday, children and families minister David Johnston, said the Government was “exploring proposals for introducing professional registration of the children’s homes workforce” and considering a national leadership programme to support recruitment of new managers.

While children’s homes must comply with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 when recruiting staff, and managers are required to register with Ofsted, there is no professional register for all staff, in the same way as there is for social workers in England.

Such proposals around professional registration have previously been recommended by both the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) final report and the Independent Review of Children’s Social Care.

In its written update, the Government said it is also asking Ofsted and the CQC to review the recommendation for joint inspections “including any regulatory changes required and cost implications”.

The panel’s review also stated that placing children into settings at a distance from family and friends “should be seen as a risk factor in planning”, stating that if this is considered the best option, “mechanisms must be in place as part of the child’s plan to support regular contact between children and their families”.

Mr Johnston said: “The panel’s recommendations reinforce our determination that every child and their family should get the right support at the right time.

“Disabled children should not be placed far from home.

“Local agencies need to work together so that children can be supported as close to home as possible, however complex their needs.”

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