If you run a home that cares for children with complex needs, you may want to consider the good practice discussed here, and whether these examples can help you provide good experiences for the children in your care, and ensure they make progress. The key findings of the research concluded:
National Challenges:
-
- Placement Difficulties: Over 90% of local authorities struggle to find appropriate placements for children with complex needs.
- Long Waiting Times: Some children wait years for a suitable home.
- Isolation Risks: Many children are living alone in homes, increasing their vulnerability and isolation.
However, the research did find some common practices that resulted in good experiences for children. These included:
- Considering a Child’s Preferences: Involving children in decisions about their care, such as allowing them to choose whether to visit a home before moving in or customizing their living space, helps them feel more comfortable and engaged.
- Providing Consistency: Maintaining consistent routines, relationships, and environments is crucial for helping children settle in and build trust. Examples include retaining key staff members during transitions and ensuring continuity in education and therapeutic support.
- Accessing the Right Services: Collaboration with external services, especially mental health support like CAMHS, is vital. Some homes have set up in-house therapeutic support to provide consistent care tailored to the child’s needs.
- Facilitating a Sense of Belonging: A stable and committed relationship between children and staff fosters a sense of belonging and security. This includes supporting children in their interests, maintaining cultural identity, and showing resilience and understanding in difficult situations.
Collaboration between agencies was also a vital common thread. When all the necessary information about a child’s needs is available to all relevant parties, decision-makers can tell whether a home will be a good fit. Joint working was also necessary to create bespoke placements targeted at a child’s individual needs.
These features are important for any child in care. But for children with complex needs, they are vital.
Homes often hesitate to accept children with complex needs due to concerns about the impact on Ofsted inspection outcomes.
However, data shows that inspection grades for homes caring for these children are not lower than for other homes. The SCCIF framework focuses on children’s experiences and progress, reassuring providers that the focus is on long-term support rather than immediate outcomes.
The sector needs continued collaboration and reassurance to address the challenges in caring for children with complex needs. The report encourages providers to adopt good practices identified in the case studies and reassures them that with the right approach, they can provide positive experiences and progress for these children.
The research highlights the persistent challenges but also showcases the positive impact of thoughtful, individualized care practices for vulnerable children.
This article is based on an Ofsted report prepared by Yvette Stanley and Gillian Churchill. A full copy of the report can be found here
Contact a member of the Pollensa Care Team to find out more about the insurance services we can provide on 01778 303111 or email enquiries@pollensa-insurance.co.uk
