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Hello everyone, it’s a pleasure to be back at Liverpool docks alongside Yvette and all of you.
My role often involves addressing gatherings like this, where I stand before a group of dedicated individuals who share a common purpose. Together, we strive to articulate the profound sense of responsibility we bear towards the children and young people we serve.
Interestingly, I often find that the most enlightening moments occur not when I’m speaking, but when I’m seated in the audience, absorbing the insights of others.
Reflections on a Powerful Performance
This past summer in London, Yvette and I attended a performance of ‘A DoL House’. This was not to be confused with the similarly titled Ibsen play. Rather, it was a moving production created and performed by young individuals who have experienced deprivation of liberty and care.
The performance offered a sobering glimpse into our collective shortcomings in providing timely and appropriate support for these young people, particularly those with intricate needs. The passion and conviction with which the play was delivered have lingered in my thoughts since then.
I am not an actor, and I do not intend to deliver a dramatic monologue today. Instead, I wish to share some reflections and themes that have occupied my mind, and Yvette and I are here to address any questions you may have.
A Commitment to Children and Young People
Let us begin with the core reason we are all gathered here: our shared commitment to ensuring the best outcomes for children and young people. This commitment is especially vital for those who require the most support, represented poignantly in ‘A DoL House’. These are the children who are often overlooked and possess the most complex needs.
Our mission is to continually improve our efforts for these children, building upon existing good practices to elevate standards. Recently, we conducted a consultation concerning changes to children’s social care, and I would like to extend my gratitude to those who participated.
During the consultation, we sought your input on enhancing what is already effective within the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) and the Inspection of Local Authority Children’s Services (ILACS). We aimed to gather insights on how to refine our focus on children’s experiences, strengthen professional relationships with local authorities and providers, and enable good practices through targeted visits.
We also explored the potential for further emphasis on specific areas, such as updating the SCCIF to underline the importance of enduring relationships for children and aligning ILACS more closely with the government’s long-term objectives. This includes providing early intervention to families and enhancing multi-agency collaboration to better protect children.
Addressing Unregistered Provision
One critical area of focus is the issue of unregistered children’s homes, which I have highlighted before. Such provision is illegal, unregulated, and, in many cases, unsafe. Our inspections have uncovered alarming instances of children being placed in inappropriate settings, such as short-term rentals and hotels, often under the care of inadequately trained staff.
We are deeply concerned about the vulnerability of these children, particularly those with significant needs, who often find themselves in these precarious situations without adequate oversight. Your efforts to increase foster and kinship care, as well as local residential options, are commendable, and we are beginning to see a reduction in the number of children placed in unregistered homes.
However, challenges persist, as some providers motivated by profit continue to operate outside the law. While we have registered over 5,000 children’s homes, the quality of applications remains a concern. We are prioritising those homes that meet the needs of children effectively, yet many applications do not meet our criteria.
Enhancing Quality in Care Services
We have initiated measures to streamline the registration process and are actively working to reduce the backlog of applications. Despite having thousands of empty beds, we recognise that many are not suitable for children with complex needs, which complicates the situation further.
Our aim is to collaborate with you and legitimate providers to eliminate the need for unregistered homes. We are committed to holding accountable those who violate regulations, with recent successful prosecutions sending a clear message that non-compliance will have consequences.
Our focus extends beyond unregistered provision; we are also committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). While awaiting new legislation for the Area SEND framework, we will continue inspections under the current system to ensure that these children receive the support they need.
Collaborative Efforts for Improvement
As we work together, we acknowledge that it takes a collective effort to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families. Through our inspections, we shed light on issues that require collaboration across various sectors, breaking down silos and fostering accountability.
We aim to enhance guidance that clarifies responsibilities across different areas, ensuring that no child falls through the cracks. Positive steps like the EOTAS guidance are pivotal as we strive for a coherent support system for children with SEND.
Looking Ahead
As we move forward, we will publish our response to the consultation early next year, followed by new inspection materials. We anticipate implementing changes to ILACS by spring 2027, always with a focus on ensuring the welfare of children and young people.
Your dedication to high-quality care is evident in various local authorities where innovative solutions and strong leadership have led to improved outcomes for children. It is your hard work that drives these successes, and Yvette and I are here to support you in this mission.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to the children and young people we serve. We are now ready to take your questions.
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