3.11.3 Regulation 33 and 34 Visits |
Contents
1. Regulation 33 Visits
All of Oxfordshire’s children’s homes will receive monthly visits from the Responsible Individual or his/her nominee (with no involvement in organisational or operational matters to do with the home) under Regulation 33 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001.
The visits should usually be unannounced but can be announced if it is necessary to arrange to meet a particular person.
The visit will be for a minimum of one hour.
The person(s) undertaking the visit may undertake specific checks and have access to what records s/he sees fit. The visits will also focus on particular themes or issues, but as a minimum the following will be undertaken:
- Meet and talk to children and staff of the home to ascertain their views, comments and any complaints about the running of the home.
- Read the Daily Log, records of Restraints, Incidents and Sanctions of the home and note trends and areas of good and unacceptable practice.
- Read the records of Representations and Complaints (including Child Protection Complaints) held by the Registered Manager, commenting on the frequency and type made and whether they appear to have been dealt with adequately.
- Read and comment on the record of Residents’ and Staff Meetings, or other methods used by the Registered Manager to consult the children and staff, held in the home.
- Check on the physical condition and decoration of the home, including the children’s bedrooms.
The person(s) undertaking the visit will write a report, which will include recommendations for action and timescales. This will be sent directly to the Responsible Individual within 10 working days.
The report will then be forwarded to the Registered Manager of the relevant home who should record and report back what actions have been taken in response to the Regulation 33 Visitor’s findings.
These reports should be available to Placing Authorities if requested.
The Responsible Individual will also arrange for a copy of the Regulation 33 Visitor’s report to be sent to OFSTED prior to any amendments or action being taken.
2. Regulation 34 Reviews
| 1. | The Responsible Individual monitors the performance of all children’s homes in the following way:
The findings will be used for to monitor the performance of the children’s homes on specific matters relating to childcare practice and the performance of the Registered Manager and staff in meeting desired outcomes for the homes and children placed there as set by the National Minimum Standards for Children’s Homes, the individual children’s Care Plans and Placement Information Records, and as set out in Schedule 6 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001*. The Responsible Individual will produce a quarterly Regulation 34 Report on the collective performance findings for all the children’s homes provided by the local authority. This report will be submitted to elected members and/or the senior management team. These reports should also be made available to children, parents, Placing Authorities and staff. |
| 2. | The Responsible Individual will also produce a written development plan, reviewed annually, for each home, either identifying any planned changes in the operation or resources of the home, or confirming the continuation of the home’s current operation and resources. |
| 3. | The Registered Manager will ensure that systems are in place to monitor the performance of the home against its Statement of Purpose, and for regular reviewing the Statement. The Registered Manager will monitor and sign the home’s records at least once a month, to identify any patterns or issues requiring action. He/she will take action to improve or adjust provisions where necessary. Where action is taken, in relation to any trend or pattern in recorded issues or events, to improve the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare of children and the quality of care in the home, the Registered Manager will ensure that staff and residents are informed. The Registered Manager will consider the reasons for any high incidents of police involvement with children from the home, high proportion of children not at school or suspended or excluded from school, or high staff turnover, and ensure that any consequential action necessary is carried out. |
| 4. | Copies of inspection reports by OFSTED will be prominently displayed within the home and made available by the Registered Manager to all members of staff, to children resident at the home, to parents, and on request to Placing Authorities of existing children or local authorities considering placing a child. |
| 5. | *The matters set out in Schedule 6 of the Children’s Homes Regulations 2001 are:
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