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

2. Quality of Care	Size:
Consultation

	OUTCOME Children are encouraged and supported to make decisions about their lives and to influence the way the home is run. No child is assumed to be unable to communicate their views.
	STANDARD 8
8.1	Children’s opinions, and those of their families or others significant to the child, are sought over key decisions which are likely to affect their daily life and their future. There are systems in place for doing this, such as written agreements, private interviews, key worker sessions, children’s or house meetings. The systems reflect children’s differing communication needs.
8.2	Staff take into account the religious, racial, cultural and linguistic backgrounds of children and their families and any disabilities that they may have.
8.3	Significant views, discussions and expressed opinions are recorded promptly.
8.4	The opinions and views of children on all matters affecting them, including day to day matters, are ascertained on a regular and frequent basis and not taken for granted.
8.5	Children, their families and significant others receive feedback following consultation.
8.6	The opinions and views of the parents of children at the home are ascertained on a regular and frequent basis unless inappropriate, including views on the following:
	children’s care at the home and the operation of the home the adequacy of staff looking after children at any given time the adequacy of space and furnishings in children’s bedrooms the privacy of washing facilities, facilities for contacting significant people in the children’ lives and sense of personal space.
8.7	Where consultation with and involvement of a child’s family is inappropriate, (where it is not in the interests of the child) staff explain to children why this is so, and consult with significant others or an independent visitor, as appropriate.
8.8	Suitable means are provided, frequently, for any child with communication and/or learning difficulties to make their wishes and feelings known regarding their care and treatment in the home. This includes availability of different adults who understand how the child communicates.
8.9	The way the home functions enhances every child’s independence and opportunity to make everyday choices.
8.10	Staff regularly and frequently seek the views of the relevant contact officers in children’s placing authorities on the care of the children concerned, and the overall operation of the home.
8.11	The views of children, parents and placing authorities are taken into account in the development of and any necessary change in the operation of the home. [Regulations 11, 15, 34, Children Act 1989, Sections 22,61,64]