Amendments

In August 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

In August 2024, information was added in relation to Ofsted and CQC Joint Registration Guidance: Children’s Homes and Health Care.

This chapter was refreshed in July 2024.

In July 2024, this chapter was updated to reflect updated Prevent duty statutory guidance.

In May 2024, this chapter was updated in line with the Online Safety Act 2023.

In March 2024, minor amendments were made to definitions in line with Working Together to Safeguard Children.

In March 2024, definitions were updated in line with revised Working Together to Safeguard Children.

This chapter was refreshed in February 2024.

In February 2024, information was added to reflect the reclassification of nitrous oxide as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (as amended).

In February 2024, a link to Ofsted Guidance: 'Children's Homes that Provide Care and Accommodation for Adults' was added into Further Information.

In October 2023, a new Section 8, Other Harmful Practices was added. The Health and Care Act 2022 has made it illegal to carry out, offer or aid and abet virginity testing or hymenoplasty in any part of the UK. It is also illegal for UK nationals and residents to do these things outside the UK. Information was also added on Breast Flattening which is an offence as set out in CPS So-Called Honour-Based Abuse Legal Guidance.

In September 2023, new subsections 2.8, Prospective Staff Spending Time in the Home and 2.9, Carrying Out Interviews were added in line with updated Ofsted guidance.
A link was also added to information on DBS Digital Identity Verification Guidance.

Section 2.3, Appointment of Manager was updated in September 2023 in line with updated Ofsted Guidance – Social Care Common Inspection Framework: Children's Homes.

This chapter was refreshed in August 2023 and additional links were added into Further Information.

This chapter was added in February 2023.

In February 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised Keeping Children Safe in Education. A new Section 2, The Difference Between an Allegation of Harm and a Concern was also added.

In February 2023, this chapter was amended in line with revised statutory guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education. Information was added to note that Keeping Children Safe in Education provides that copies of a curriculum vitae should only be accepted alongside an application form as a curriculum vitae on its own may not provide adequate information. Information in relation to online searches was also added.

In February 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 1, Responsibility and Risk Assessments.

A new Section 2, Allergies was added in February 2023.

In February 2023, information in relation to allergies was added into Section 2, Health Care Plans.

In November 2022, this chapter was updated to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Information was added into Section 2, Positive Behaviour Support, Section 6, Risk Assessment, and Section 9, Recording and Reporting.

In November 2022, this chapter was updated in relation to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

In November 2022, this chapter was updated to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Information in relation to Philomena Protocols was added into Section 6, Action to be Taken if a Child is Missing.

In November 2022, this chapter was updated to incorporate Ofsted feedback. Added into Section 4, Staff Training: 'This training will be refreshed on an annual basis'. Added into Section 12, Recording and Management Review: information on holding a restorative conversation with the child following physical intervention or restraint.

This chapter was updated in October 2022 to include information from Self-harm: Assessment, Management and Preventing Recurrence NICE Guidance.

In October 2022, this chapter was updated in line with Guidance: Children's Homes - Recruiting Staff (Ofsted).