Opinion: Soapbox - Size isn't everything in residential care

So I was not surprised to see that the figures on one- and two-bedchildren's homes are contentious (Children Now, 10-16 January). In fact,one issue that never goes away is the debate over the size of children'shomes, even if many misunderstand the research of Sinclair and Gibbs,academics at the University of York, in this respect.

They're often quoted as saying smaller is better. But although they saidthat size was a vital factor in determining quality, they saw the majorfactor as the quality of leadership.

From a practice base in the public, voluntary and private sectors inScotland, England, Wales and Guernsey, I have run and been responsiblefor homes ranging from one to 17 beds, as well as residential boardingschools. Quality of care, value for money and positive outcomes hadnothing to do with their size. My experience is that the quality ofmanagement, leadership and committed staff with clarity of task andfunction are the principal reasons young people can be well cared for,and it is interesting to note that the recent National Children's BureauFit for the Future report and the Sinclair and Gibbs research agree withthis.