3.11.3 Regulation 33 Visits |
In keeping with Regulation 33 of the Children's Homes Regulations 2001, the county will arrange for monthly visits to be undertaken of its children's homes.
The arrangements for these visits are that, each month, a nominated officer will visit each children's home once each month.
This person must be managed outside the line management arrangements for children's homes in Lincolnshire.
The visits should usually be unannounced but can be announced if it is necessary to arrange to meet a particular person for example the registered manager.
The person undertaking these visits may undertake what checks and have access to what records they see fit and may focus on particular themes or issues but, as a minimum, the following must be undertaken:
- Meet and talk to children and a range of the staff of the home to ascertain their views, comments and any complaints about the running of the home
- Read the Daily Log, records of Restraints, Incidents and Sanctions of the home and note trends and areas of good and unacceptable practice
- Read the records of Comments and Complaints (including Child Protection Complaints) held by the manager, commenting on the frequency and type made and whether they appear to have been dealt with adequately
- Read and comment on the record of House and Staff Meetings, or other methods used by the manager to consult the children and staff, held in the home
- Check on the physical condition and decoration of the home, including the children's bedrooms
The officer undertaking the visit will write a report which will be forwarded to the Head of Service on a monthly basis.
The report of the visit will include recommendations for change, together with proposed timescales.
The Head of Service will ensure the report is forwarded to and actioned by the manager of the home, and a copy sent to the Regulatory Authority.
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