QQ25002 - Reg 44 Service for Internal Children's Homes

Regulation 44 (Reg 44) visits are a statutory responsibility for organisations in England that operate Ofsted-registered children's homes. According to the Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the registered person must ensure that an independent person visits the children's home at least once a month. These visits are intended to provide independent scrutiny of the home's operations, ensuring that children are effectively safeguarded and that their well-being is promoted.

The City of Wolverhampton Council is seeking a provider in the open market who will deliver this service to the Council's three Ofsted-registered children's homes in Wolverhampton.

These Reg 44 visits must adhere to the requirements set up in The Children's Homes (England) Regulations 2015 .

Regulation & Guidance Requirements

Regulation and guidance does not dictate the exact requirements in terms of training and experience of people undertaking the role of Regulation 44 Visitor. However, it is widely expected that the visitor will have already undertaken this role either in a Local Authority setting or as part of an independent children's home network. The visitor must have an excellent understanding of children's home legislation, national minimum standards, guidance and regulations and be able to demonstrate experience of working in a quality assurance and or management function in relation to children's residential services.

Regulation 44 Skill Requirements

The role of Regulation 44 Visitor requires considerable skill in auditing and inspection, communication and analysis and the ability to relate to children and young people in a variety of residential settings with differing needs. The visitor expected to write a report that will cover their visits and usually follow an agreed format by the children's home provider. This report is sent to the registered provider of the home and to Ofsted. Regulation 44 Visitors will make suggestions and recommendations on practice and how services to children and young people can continue to be improved.

Staffing and Enhanced DBS Checks

The Provider shall ensure that all Regulation 44 Visitors who work with and/or have access to vulnerable adults and/or children undergo a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) check prior to working with and/or having unsupervised access to any vulnerable adults and/or children.

The Provider engages or employs any person in the provision of the Service, or in any activity related to, or connected with, the provision of the Service, the Provider must without limitation, complete:

• a)the Employment Checks; and
• b)such other checks as required by the DBS.