After six months of inspection by Ofsted, conditions in children's homes have been found to be rising. Looks at how inspections can influence outcomes, and the area of education of looked after children which is still in need of improvement.
After six months of inspection by Ofsted, conditions in children's homes have been found to be rising. Looks at how inspections can influence outcomes, and the area of education of looked after children which is still in need of improvement.
Subject terms:
inspection, looked after children, outcomes, performance evaluation, residential child care;
The case of a 14-year-old boy who has a history of sexually harmful behaviour and the decision to place him in therapeutic residential child care is discussed.
The case of a 14-year-old boy who has a history of sexually harmful behaviour and the decision to place him in therapeutic residential child care is discussed.
Subject terms:
intervention, residential child care, risk assessment, sexual behaviour, treatment, therapies, therapy and treatment, young people, young sex offenders, case studies;
One of the advantages of larger children's homes was that they could accommodate siblings. The author describes a German model which could provide the template for their revival. Whereas children's homes account for only 10% of care placements in England, in Germany they account for 50% of care placements.
One of the advantages of larger children's homes was that they could accommodate siblings. The author describes a German model which could provide the template for their revival. Whereas children's homes account for only 10% of care placements in England, in Germany they account for 50% of care placements.
Subject terms:
looked after children, placement, residential child care;
Norfolk council are using restorative approaches in their children's homes to reduce the number of looked-after children in the youth justice system and develop better ways of working with children in residential care. The model used in Norfolk children's homes is described. A member of staff also describes her experience of a restorative justice conference after being assaulted by a child in her care.
Norfolk council are using restorative approaches in their children's homes to reduce the number of looked-after children in the youth justice system and develop better ways of working with children in residential care. The model used in Norfolk children's homes is described. A member of staff also describes her experience of a restorative justice conference after being assaulted by a child in her care.
Subject terms:
looked after children, residential child care, restorative justice, youth justice;
Video Enhanced Reflective Practice (VERP) is being used in a young person's unit run by Dundee Council as a new method of staff training. Interactions between staff and young people are filmed, and used to reflect on and analyse practice. The initial evaluation brought positive results, with staff finding the process beneficial and young people giving staff improved ratings after the training.
Video Enhanced Reflective Practice (VERP) is being used in a young person's unit run by Dundee Council as a new method of staff training. Interactions between staff and young people are filmed, and used to reflect on and analyse practice. The initial evaluation brought positive results, with staff finding the process beneficial and young people giving staff improved ratings after the training.
Subject terms:
reflective practice, residential child care, staff, staff-user relationships, training, videos;
Some children's homes use rewards to encourage good behaviour. The A-Points scheme used at Anderida Adolescent Care, which runs four units in East Sussex for teenagers with acute behavioural problems, is described. Critics of the approach also give their views.
Some children's homes use rewards to encourage good behaviour. The A-Points scheme used at Anderida Adolescent Care, which runs four units in East Sussex for teenagers with acute behavioural problems, is described. Critics of the approach also give their views.
Subject terms:
looked after children, residential child care, behaviour modification, behaviour problems;
Residential provision for children in care will face many challenges with threats and cuts to funding. The author reports on how providers need to start making ownership of the challenges.
Residential provision for children in care will face many challenges with threats and cuts to funding. The author reports on how providers need to start making ownership of the challenges.
Key findings from the recent Ofsted annual report on children's homes are discussed. Although weaknesses have been found, the number of children's homes being rated as good or outstanding has increased.
Key findings from the recent Ofsted annual report on children's homes are discussed. Although weaknesses have been found, the number of children's homes being rated as good or outstanding has increased.
Aggressive behaviour in Sunderland's children's homes has been reduced as staff take a more therapeutic approach and avoid using restraint. Staff attended the training programme 'Holding the Space', which was run by The Kite, a local Action for Children project. The programme helped staff to think more psychologically about the children in their care. It also resulted in a change in culture, atmosphere and relationships in the home. The article provides more information about the course.
Aggressive behaviour in Sunderland's children's homes has been reduced as staff take a more therapeutic approach and avoid using restraint. Staff attended the training programme 'Holding the Space', which was run by The Kite, a local Action for Children project. The programme helped staff to think more psychologically about the children in their care. It also resulted in a change in culture, atmosphere and relationships in the home. The article provides more information about the course.
Subject terms:
looked after children, physical restraint, residential child care, restraint, therapies, therapy and treatment, training, aggression, behaviour problems, child care workers, emotionally disturbed children;
Some of the key findings of research which examined the effectiveness of restorative justice in cases involving bullying in children's residential units are examined. The research was commissioned by Hertfordshire Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary, and conducted by the NSPCC. It evaluated a pilot scheme operating in four of the council's residential units. Staff and residents were interviewed for the research and statistics on police call-outs to the unit were also analysed. The article concludes that the model led to an overall decrease in police call outs, but how and when restorative practice might be used needs to be defined more clearly.
Some of the key findings of research which examined the effectiveness of restorative justice in cases involving bullying in children's residential units are examined. The research was commissioned by Hertfordshire Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary, and conducted by the NSPCC. It evaluated a pilot scheme operating in four of the council's residential units. Staff and residents were interviewed for the research and statistics on police call-outs to the unit were also analysed. The article concludes that the model led to an overall decrease in police call outs, but how and when restorative practice might be used needs to be defined more clearly.
Subject terms:
looked after children, residential child care, restorative justice, training, bullying, childrens rights, evaluation;