Issue - meetings

A report was presented to the Board which outlined the statutory basis for Regulation 44 visits, the role of Members in undertaking those visits and the training and support that was in place for that role.

The Board was informed that Regulation 44 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2015 required each children’s home to ensure that an ‘independent’ visitor visits the home at least once a month.  The visitor was then required to compile a report of their findings which must be submitted to Ofsted within 4 weeks of the visit.

It was noted that the focus of the visit was to ensure that all children within the placement were being appropriately cared for and their individual needs were being met.  This was achieved through a combination of examining appropriate written records within the home; viewing any complaints; and interviewing children, parents and staff as they felt necessary, to establish the standard of care being provided.

It was reported that Ofsted had recently inspected both of Halton’s Children’s Homes (Edinburgh Road and Inglefield) and following this it was recommended that the visits needed to offer a more rigorous and impartial assessment of the home’s arrangements for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in the home.  

It was noted by the Board that failure to act on the recommendations of Ofsted may affect subsequent Ofsted judgements.  The report provided information on the steps that were required to be taken to adhere to the recommendations provided. 

Members shared their experiences with each other of visits made previously to the children’s homes and agreed that training was crucial to the success of the visits and were happy to receive this.  The training would be provided by Action for Children who had agreed to accompany Members upon the conclusion of their training and in the initial visits, if this was requested. 

Members understood the need for a rota to include all Members of the Board and the Chair suggested an email be compiled and sent to Members, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families, explaining the responsibility that lay within the Regulation 44 Visits and the importance of them being carried out as recommended by Ofsted.

In response to a Members query, it was noted that Halton did have some privately owned children’s homes and they made their own arrangements to carry out Regulation 44 Visits and reporting them to Ofsted.

RESOLVED:  That the Board

1)    notes the reasons for Board Members undertaking Regulation 44 visits;

2)    confirms their commitment to the training and support; and

3)    confirms their commitment to undertake Regulation 44 visits via a rota.