This is because standards in the children’s homes sector are notoriously susceptible to change — of the 1,439 children’s homes inspected by Ofsted, only 35 have been judged outstanding for the past three consecutive years.
Ofsted found that all 12 outstanding homes had highly effective leadership. Managers were visible, inclusive and interacted frequently with staff and young people.
The report also found that continuity of staffing was essential to help children develop meaningful and lasting attachments to adults.
But the report said that the "defining hallmark of quality" was the importance homes place on the experience of looked-after children. One outstanding home manager explained: "Young people are our most important inspectors."
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