Regulation 44 & Quality Assurance Visits

Child-Centred Quality Assurance for Children's Homes through the UK

At Ross & Forsyth Consultancy, we understand that exceptional children’s residential care is built on relationships, safety, and consistency—not simply compliance with checklists. We provide specialist Regulation 44 visiting services and comprehensive Quality Assurance support that goes beyond the statutory requirements to deliver genuine, lasting improvement.

Our approach is grounded in the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Quality Standards, and the Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) . We use these frameworks not just to meet regulatory obligations, but as tools to explore culture, amplify children’s voices, and evaluate lived experience.

What is a Regulation 44 Visit?

Regulation 44 of the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 requires that an independent person visits every children’s home at least once each month . These visits serve a critical purpose: to provide independent scrutiny of safeguarding arrangements and ensure that children’s well-being is being effectively promoted .

The independent visitor must:

Interview children and young people in private (with their consent)
Speak with staff, parents, and relatives
Inspect premises and relevant records
Produce a report setting out their opinion on whether children are effectively safeguarded and their well-being is promoted

This report must be submitted to Ofsted, the registered provider, and relevant placing authorities . Visits may be announced or unannounced, ensuring a genuine picture of daily life in the home .

Independent Regulation 44 Visits

We can deliver monthly visits that provide rigorous and impartial assessment of your home’s safeguarding arrangements . We produce balanced, strengths-based reports that include clear, actionable recommendations to support continuous improvement .

What sets us apart:

Deep expertise in children’s residential care and regulatory frameworks
A “critical friend” approach—honest insight balanced with professional encouragement
Genuine engagement with children and young people, ensuring their voices shape your service development
Reports that reflect SCCIF requirements and support Ofsted readiness

Quality Assurance Visits

Beyond the statutory Regulation 44 requirement, we offer comprehensive Quality Assurance services designed to help you achieve and maintain excellence. Our QA visits provide:

Objective, external evaluation free from internal bias—offering a fresh perspective that may identify opportunities or issues overlooked by those closely involved in day-to-day operations
Benchmarking against sector best practice—we bring insights from visits to multiple homes and services, helping you understand where you stand and how to improve
Risk identification and mitigation—early identification of vulnerabilities before they escalate into regulatory concerns
Continuous improvement input—feedback that refines your processes and enhances the quality of care

Ofsted Readiness & Mock Inspections

Prepare your team to demonstrate impact, not just intent. Our realistic inspection scenarios and feedback sessions help your staff confidently evidence culture, outcomes, and leadership. We cover:

Leadership interview preparation
Practical guidance on evidencing culture and outcomes against SCCIF criteria
Honest, detailed feedback with clear improvement priorities

Quality Standards Audit (2-Day Review)

An in-depth snapshot of your provision, culture, and compliance. This comprehensive review includes:

Full SCCIF and Quality Standards alignment
Lived experience and workforce wellbeing checks
Detailed findings report with recommendations that support regulatory confidence and service growth

Post-Inspection Support

If you’ve recently experienced an Ofsted inspection—whether it went well or identified areas for improvement—we provide structured support to help you move forward with confidence. This includes:

Tailored improvement planning with clear action tracking
Risk and priority mapping
Ongoing check-ins and reflective guidance

Supported Accommodation Audits

For providers of supported accommodation for young people aged 16+, we offer independent evaluations to ensure your service meets current regulatory expectations and delivers positive outcomes for young adults. Our audits focus on safety, suitability, and progression, supporting consistency and young adult readiness .

Why Ross & Forsyth?

Specialist Expertise

We bring substantial experience in regulatory compliance, residential children’s care, and quality assurance management . We understand the pressures and possibilities within children’s residential care, whether you’re newly registered or striving for ‘Outstanding’.

A Values-Led Approach

We work alongside you, not above you. Our approach is grounded in partnership, relational care, and emotional intelligence . We bring honest insight balanced with professional encouragement, supporting your team to build confidence and embed best practice.

Child Voice at the Heart

We prioritise hearing from children and young people, understanding their lived experience, and ensuring their views shape your service . Our visitors take time to build rapport, using child-friendly communication approaches that put young people at ease.

Clear, Actionable Reports

Our reports provide balanced evaluation with specific, practical recommendations and realistic timescales for action . We don’t just identify issues—we help you address them.

Who We Support

Independent children's homes
Local authority children's homes
Supported accommodation providers
Providers preparing for Ofsted inspection
Homes seeking to improve regulatory compliance
Services rebuilding after enforcement action

Get in Touch

Whether you’re looking to establish a reliable Regulation 44 visiting service, prepare for an upcoming Ofsted inspection, or strengthen your quality assurance processes, Ross & Forsyth Consultancy is here to support you.

Reg 44 & Quality Assurance Visits