Children's Homes : A Study in Diversity

This text is based upon a research report, conducted by the authors and approved by the Department of Health, about the assessment, measurement and production of good quality care in children's homes. The research was instigated to address directly the continuing debate about the uncertainty surrounding the purpose of children's homes, their high cost, their vulnerability to scandal, critical research, and professional views of good practice. The aim of the research was to describe the homes, and identify ways of running and resourcing them to enhance their quality and so contribute to the continuing debate about their purpose and potential. The research study focused on 48 children's homes in five authorities, and involved 223 residents.