Unregistered and Dangerous Care

As a provider of high-quality therapeutic care, the current state of the care industry deeply concerns me. With some unlawful children’s homes demanding exorbitant sums for their services, the sector is facing risks that extend far beyond financial stability. The high fees associated with care placement for vulnerable children are not only threatening to bankrupt local authorities, but they also pose a dangerous risk to the very children they claim to protect.

Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, especially those who have already suffered significant trauma and neglect. But unfortunately, in the face of rising costs and scarce resources, the quality of care and protection offered to these children is being compromised.

We’ve seen instances where despite the local authority paying high fees to unlawful children’s homes, vulnerable children continued to be at serious risk. This is totally unacceptable and poses a grave threat to the wellbeing of these children who are already dealing with complex issues.

The problem of exorbitant fees is causing great financial strain on our local authorities. This is public money – your money, my money. It should serve the public good, not pad the pockets of opportunistic businesses. Unregistered care homes are profiteering off our children without the requisite experience or adherence to Ofsted regulations. Such conduct not only jeopardises the financial stability of our local authorities but also maligns an entire industry dedicated to providing quality care.

We need to reiterate that care providers should be partners to local authorities, not adversaries. Our shared goal should be to provide the highest quality of care for our children, not to command the highest fee. As care providers, we must remember our duty to our clients and our society. We are here to offer care, to provide healing, and to support growth. We are not here to take advantage of the vulnerable for profit.

The increasing demand for specialist therapeutic care for children with complex needs calls the industry to responsibility. The children we care for have already experienced the worst life has to offer, and so we must offer them the best. Therefore, the demand should lead to a focus on improvements in quality, instead of soaring costs.

It’s heartening to see some private companies running excellent Ofsted-registered placements without charging excessive rates. They stand as examples of ethical practices that prioritize care over profit. They remind us all that while running a care home is indeed a business, the welfare of the children entrusted to our care should always remain the top priority.

As the government is working on measures to crack down on providers making excessive profits, we in the industry must also do our part. Let us strive for more transparency, more collaboration, and above all, more care. Let’s work in partnership with our local authorities, become allies in their mission to protect our children, and strive to put the needs of these vulnerable children before profit.

It’s time to reassess our practices, to recalibrate our moral compass. We need to remember why we entered this industry in the first place – to make a difference in the lives of children, to provide them with a safe, nurturing environment where they can heal and grow. Let’s work together to uphold the values we hold dear and foster a care industry that truly puts children first.