PLEASE NOTE: New Standards Published

April 2011: The Standards no longer apply, Tri.x have published a web enabled version of the new Children’s Homes and Fostering Standards, please follow this link:

www.minimumstandards.org

7. Management and Administration	Size:
Business Management

	OUTCOME Children enjoy the stability of efficiently run homes.
	STANDARD 34
34.1	Administration of the home is efficient and the home is financially sound.
34.2	The registered person has the necessary ability to plan, budget and administer the finances for the home to ensure that it is run on a sound financial basis.
34.3	The registered person of the home has:
	by January 2005, a professional qualification relevant to working with children, which must be either NVQ level 4 or the DipSW (or another qualification that matches the competencies required by that NVQ); by January 2005, a qualification at level 4 NVQ in management (or another qualification that matches the competencies required by that NVQ); at least two years’ experience of working with children within the past five years; and in addition at least one year’s experience of working at a senior level in a residential setting.
34.4	The job description of the registered manager clearly states in writing the responsibilities and duties of the registered manager in managing the home, and states the person to whom the registered manager is accountable and who is responsible for ensuring that the registered manager carries out their duties and responsibilities. Any change in the person to whom they are accountable has been notified in writing to the registered manager.
34.5	For the transitional period in relation to 34.3, appointees to the post of registered manager of the home who do not have the appropriate qualifications, they begin appropriate training within three months of appointment.
34.6	The registered manager of the home exercises effective leadership of the home’s staff and operation, such that the home is organised, managed and staffed in a manner that delivers the best possible child care.
34.7	The funding of the home is sufficient to finance the fulfilment of the home’s Statement of Purpose, these national minimum standards, and any conditions of the home’s registration.
34.8	The accounts demonstrate that the home is financially viable and likely to have sufficient funding to continue to fulfil its Statement of Purpose for the next 12 months.
34.9	The registered manager takes reasonable steps to ensure good relationships with neighbours and the wider community.
34.10	Where a residential special school is a children’s home and the head of school is the registered manager, then it is the head of care (or equivalent postholder) who meets the qualification requirements set out in 34.3 above. The head of care should not also be the head of school. [Regulations 8 and 36]