Memorandum submitted by Ann Coffey MP
I understand your committee is undertaking an inquiry
into OFSTED.
I would like to bring to your committee's attention
some issues concerning the inspection of children's homes.
I am sending to you separately a link to an adjournment
debate which gives the background planning issues.[201]
The problem is that very dysfunctional young people
with multiple problems are being placed often at some distance
from their home locality in houses in residential districts. The
impact on the surrounding neighbourhoods of their anti-social
behaviour is huge in affecting the quality of life for residents.
Of course this behaviour can be dealt with police powers in the
Ant-Behaviour Act but this places demands on already stretched
local agencies and resources.
It would be in everybody's interests to ensure that
the care management provided in these homes was of a standard
that could manage and control their behaviour. This relies on
robust inspections by OFSTED.
My concern is that inspections take place without
proper information being gathered from local agencies, the police,
schools or neighbours which would provide proper data of the actual
quality of care and control in the homes.
OFSTED state that their inspections are based on
the Minimum Standards in Children's' Homes regulations. A draft
consultation on new standards was issued by the last government
and I understand that the D of E will respond in November.
In answer to a PQ I obtained the latest information
from OFSTED which gave a breakdown of the number of children's
homes who were classed as either outstanding, good satisfactory
or inadequate.
I am sending this to you separately.[202]
I have concerns about the number of homes classed as either satisfactory
or inadequate ( which is almost a third of the total).
I am also sending you some e-mails I have received
from across the country and a report from Lancashire.[203]
As you can see this is a issue of concern.
Your committee's inquiry provides an opportunity
to look at some of the issues raised
It is important that children's homes provide the
highest standards of care and control not only for the young people
placed there but for the community in which they live.
October 2010
201 HC Deb, 1 February 2010, cols 138-146 Back
202
Not published on the Committee's website. Back
203
Not published on the Committee's website. Back
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