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

5. Environment	Size:
Location, Design and Size of the Home

	OUTCOME Children live in well designed and pleasant homes providing sufficient space to meet their needs.
	STANDARD 23
23.1	The home’s location, design and size are in keeping with its purpose and function. It serves the needs of the children it accommodates, and provides an environment that is supportive to each child’s development.
23.2	The home is situated in a location which takes into account transport, education, health, leisure and employment facilities.
23.3	Where the home accommodates disabled children, suitable aids and adaptations and any special furniture or equipment required are provided to enable them to live as normal a life as possible. Particular attention is paid to the following:
	accommodation ensures that disabled children have necessary access to all parts of the building to which other children have access handrails and other mobility aids are appropriately sited lifts and stairs are adapted and safe for all users if children have visual impairments, colours and lighting are chosen to offset the loss of vision if children have hearing impairments, an induction loop system, necessary telephone and television adaptations and noise insulation are provided safe storage of equipment and wheelchairs, with proper arrangements for recharging wheelchair batteries.
23.4	Where a home accommodates disabled children an occupational therapist has assessed the premises and their recommendations have been adhered to.
23.5	Physical restrictions on normal movement within the home (e.g. stairgates or high handles on doors) are used only in relation to a child where the restriction has been agreed within their placement plan (and care plan if appropriate) and are used only where necessary satisfactorily to safeguard and promote that child’s welfare. Such restrictions for one child do not impose similar restrictions on other children.
23.6	There are no outstanding requirements or recommendations (other than any being implemented within the timescale recommended by the relevant authority) relating to the home from any of the following bodies:
	planning authority (district or unitary, borough or metropolitan authority) building control authority fire service environmental health authority DfES or Ofsted.
23.7	The design, layout and use of the accommodation are such that children’s individual care and privacy are not compromised.
23.8	The home’s premises are not used for functions unrelated to the home which compromise or have an adverse effect on the care of children in the home.
23.9	Effective precautions, acceptable to children and staff, are taken to ensure the security of the home from access by unauthorised persons, without compromising or having an adverse effect on the care of children in the home.
23.10	The registered person maintains appropriate links with the local community to the home and, where appropriate, promotes positive links between the children and the community. [Regulation 31]