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23 Jun, 5 tweets, 2 min read
There are two 'outstanding' children's homes in the latest round of Ofsted inspections. Both are run by local authorities. This one is in Hampshire 1/
files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/501649… Image
This one is run by Northumberland County Council. It has been outstanding since 2018. 2/
files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/501649…
It also has an inspirational manager. 3/ Image
80% + of children's homes are now privately-owned and mostly run for profit. Some LAs no longer have any homes. Others regard them as a legacy of a bygone age, the last corner of children's services to receive investment. 4/
Despite this, LA homes match costly private homes in terms of standards (based on Ofsted's own ratings). Imagine what they could achieve with proper investment and TLC? 5/

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More from @MartinBarrow

Martin Barrow Profile picture
25 Jun
The @SMFthinktank has published a report into the future of foster care in England. smf.co.uk/publications/f…
I'm not a fan (of the think tank or of the report), but I try to keep a broad church...
I struggled to read beyond this recommendation, tbh (one of just five). Already into 'managing the market', 'economies of scale' and 'block contracting'. FFS... Image
Read 7 tweets
Martin Barrow Profile picture
23 Jun
Ofsted's latest inspection of children's services in West Sussex (our LA), currently rated inadequte but under new management. Verdict: steady progress but much still to be done.

files.ofsted.gov.uk/v1/file/501650…
Important report for those who claim child protection is a 'runaway train' and that social workers 'wade in'. An example: Image
See also: Image
Read 5 tweets
Martin Barrow Profile picture
22 Jun
London Borough of Lewisham exposed a former looked after child to ‘significant harm’ while she was in its care and failed to look into her concerns properly: decision by @LGOmbudsman lgo.org.uk/information-ce…
@LGOmbudsman The council did not properly investigate allegations of significant and repeated incidents of physical, sexual and emotional abuse while she was a child in foster care and council run residential units. At one point she was left homeless while in the council's care.
She was never told of the outcome of the investigation into her allegations.
Read 4 tweets
Martin Barrow Profile picture
21 Jun
Privitisation of children's services: the private equity firm SSCP Spring Topco, which owns dozens of foster care agencies and children's homes in the UK, is now being paid more than £364 million a year by local authorities, according to it latest accounts. 1/
This firm owns many of the biggest names used by local authorities (including NFA, Acorn, Options, Bryn Melyn, Hillcrest). It continues to buy up smaller rivals, at substantial cost. 2/
The company now has debts of almost £800 million. Much of this is arranged at high interest rates (eg 14%). Interest charges are paid for from funds intended for care and support. Banks before children. 3/
Read 9 tweets
Martin Barrow Profile picture
20 Jun
Something I've struggled to articulate these past few days is the profound impact that the narrative of child protection being institutionally biased against families has on foster carers. 1/
It is our experience that many people in the community regard us simply as agents of social services. At best, they are indifferent, at worst they are hostile. 2/
This can happen at the school gate, in shops, during after school activities...pretty much anywhere. 3/
Read 6 tweets
Martin Barrow Profile picture
19 Jun
Children's home inspection reports uploaded today by Ofsted include six that are failing to provide 'good' care. All but one of the homes are owned by private providers. Two are inadequate.
One of the inadequate homes is provided by @BarnardosNews and it seems to be a truly abysmal home to live. Image
The full report is here reports.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/2/254…
Read 5 tweets

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