Independent Visitor Services Consultancy

Promoting excellence in children’s social care

Independent Visitor Services

Independent monthly visits to children’s residential care and supported accommodation providers within public, voluntary and private sectors. We offer impartial evaluation of arrangements for safeguarding and promoting welfare of children and young people.

Based in the East Midlands, we are able to travel to wherever suits the needs of your business.

Monthly visits include:

At least 5 hours on-site visit
Written report within 7-10 working days
Examining and analysing a range of records
Observation of practice
Listening and talking with children and young people
Listening and talking with managers and staff
Obtaining feedback from external stakeholders
Reviewing policies and procedures to ensure their effectiveness
Assessment of the accommodation
Tracking and reporting on children and young people’s progress and outcomes
Forming an impartial judgement about the quality of care
Producing a report in line with the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards (2015)
Providing verbal and written suggestions for improvement

Benefits to your business:

Full compliance with Regulation 44 of the Children’s Homes Regulations and Quality Standards (2015)
Ofsted readiness
Independent evaluation against market best practice
Gaining better competitive advantage
Focus on achieving and maintaining Ofsted “Improved Effectiveness” and “Outstanding” judgement

Full Audit

Full audit service is 3-4 day assignment comprising of:

Observations of care, operational and senior management and oversight practices
Holding discussions with staff and managers
Obtaining feedback from external stakeholders
Producing and analysing children and staff questionnaires
Check policies and procedures and their effectiveness
Review recruitment and human resource management
Case file reading
Providing feedback, advice and assistance to the Registered Manager and Responsible Individual
Providing an independent and objective opinion about the organisation’s effectiveness and efficiency
Providing a summary report summarising areas of strength and weakness, opportunities and threats and areas for development and/or improvement

Benefits to your business:

Better operational control and senior management oversight arrangements
Clear understanding of your business positioning
Robust and effective internal service framework
Greater competitive advantage
Strong emphasis on strategic vision and short, medium and long term planning
Ofsted readiness

Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is 1 to 3 days assignment comprising of:

Review of service delivery model
Examination of projected and actual outcomes for service users
Review of care planning, delivery, management and oversight stages
Understanding of and management of stakeholder expectations
Providing independent and objective feedback on service resilience, quality and effectiveness

Benefits to your business:

Improved service delivery
Independent quality assurance conclusion and feedback that can be used to inform decision-making and business strategy
Focus on competitive advantage and business positioning
Strategy for sustainable growth
Compliance with legislation, and contractual obligations
Service transparency
Improved relationships with external stakeholders

Case Review Investigations

Bespoke assignments to review particular cases, such as but not limited to, complaints, information and data breaches, disciplinary matters, contractual non-compliance, unplanned placement endings, adverse individual outcomes etc.

Objectives of the case review investigation are: