The Review of Professional Development for the Children’s Homes Workforce is now in its final phase, bringing together evidence and insight gathered from across the sector to explore how the workforce in children’s homes can be better supported, developed and recognised. Underpinning the review is an acknowledgement of the skilled, complex and relational nature of practice in children’s homes, and the role practitioners play in supporting children to thrive.
This short update explains how contributions from across the sector are being used to identify emerging themes and shape recommendations. It is intentionally high-level while the review is being written, but we hope it provides useful information on progress so far and next steps.
Over the last few months, the review team has engaged with the sector and drawn on evidence in a variety of ways, including roundtables, survey results, sector events, meetings and discussions with care-experienced young people. We are grateful to everyone who has participated and contributed their experience, expertise and perspectives. These contributions have helped shape the review’s understanding of key challenges, opportunities and potential areas for development across qualifications, professional development, career pathways, leadership and practice.
The review team is also undertaking further engagement to explore emerging recommendations with practitioners from across the sector. A series of online consultation events has brought together residential care practitioners, Registered Managers and Responsible Individuals from a range of organisations and locations across England. These discussions are providing an opportunity to test emerging ideas, gather feedback and better understand how recommendations might work in practice.
Children and young people continue to be an important part of the review process. The review team is facilitating discussions with young people who have experience of living in children’s homes through the National Leaving Care Benchmarking Forum and other networks. These conversations are exploring young people’s views on what makes an effective children’s homes practitioner and the qualities, skills and relationships that matter most to them.
As the evidence is brought together, several themes are emerging. While findings and recommendations are still being developed, contributions to date have consistently highlighted the important role that children’s homes can play in improving children’s lives. Many stakeholders have emphasised the significance of stability, enduring relationships, therapeutic-led care and the expertise of residential care practitioners. Discussions have also explored the purpose of children’s homes, the strengths that already exist within the workforce, and how these can be further recognised, developed and supported.
The review team is now drafting its findings and recommendations. A first draft of the report is being developed during September and will be shared with the Department for Education later this month.
Thank you again to everyone who has contributed their time, expertise, insight and lived experience to the review. The breadth and quality of engagement across the sector continues to play a vital role in helping to ensure that any recommendations are practical, evidence-informed and grounded in the realities of working in children’s homes.
For further information on the review’s purpose and objectives, please see this co-authored article: Our goal is to be ambitious’ – Children’s Homes Workforce Review team outline plans.