Ofsted report outlines success factors for children’s care homes
A new report from the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) has identified the main factors in the success of children’s care homes, with good standards of care training for staff appearing high up in the list.
The report focused on twelve children’s care homes around the UK which have an “outstanding” rating from the authority. Ofsted highlights good practice in these homes, in an attempt to encourage other providers of residential homes to raise their standards.
The report identifies common factors which have contributed to the success of the “outstanding” homes, including:
- Continuity of staffing, to help children develop lasting and meaningful bonds to adults
- Highly effective leadership, managers were found to be inclusive, visible and regularly interacting with young people and staff
- Committed staff, most of whom had completed advanced care training courses
- An emphasis on listening to residents and valuing their feedback
Ofsted’s chief inspector Christine Gilbert emphasised the importance of having the right staff in care homes and training them properly, saying:
“Good staff have such an impact,”
“They establish good relationships with the children and young people in their care, have the highest expectations of them and do all they can to support their development and their confidence.”