Searching for ‘Deeper Magic’; A Comparative Exercise in Children’s Homes Using a System Analysis

Abstract

Those responsible for placing highly vulnerable children in regulated Children’s Homes need to ensure the Home can meet the child’s needs. Assessing suitability to meet a child’s needs is often benchmarked against findings and judgements awarded by Ofsted and which are established on regulatory requirements and quality standards. For those Homes that may struggle to raise standards, this paper explores the use of an additional management instrument that can identify and target areas for change and improvement; through the use of a diagnostic model that identifies key factors in organisational change. By reviewing and comparing six Homes in England – three judged as ‘requiring improvement’ and three judged ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, the review found that both qualitative transformational and transactional features can be critical in the successful performance in a Home. Features such as the consistency and ambitions of the leadership, the pace of staff changes, culture and attitudes being carried through by staff and children are all critical factors. Being alert to different ways of viewing quality and performance may allow placing authorities and Social Workers another tool to discuss effectiveness when making decisions about placing a child.