Residential Recruitment - Our Practice Standards

At Rotherham Council, we have a number of practice standards we hold ourselves to. The helps us to ensure a high level of care and support to our young people and their families.

Listening and Acting on What our Children Say

We believe that every child and young person deserves to be heard. We listen carefully to their thoughts, feelings, and experiences, as well as those of their families, so we can understand their worries, strengths, and hopes.

We use their words to guide how we support them and explain clearly when we can’t meet a specific request, always with kindness and respect.

Safety and Well-being First

We take time to understand each child’s situation, including any risks or concerns, and also their strengths and support networks.

Our assessments are thorough and up to date, involving all the important people in a child’s life.

We include clear timelines, family connections, and a full picture of their needs to ensure the best possible care.

Timely Support That Makes a Difference

Every visit and contact with a child or young person matters. We make sure our support is timely and reflects how families truly live. If plans need to change, we communicate quickly and clearly.

Clear and Honest Communication

We speak clearly and openly with children, young people, and their families. We encourage them to take part in their assessments, plans, and reviews. We share important documents in writing and help explain them.

We always ask: “What difference are we making?” and we act on feedback to improve.

Making the Right Decisions

We explain the reasons behind every decision we make, especially when it comes to safety. Using information provided to us from families and other partner organisations, we carefully consider which level of support will best meet each child’s needs.

We take responsibility for our decisions and challenge anything that may reduce a child’s safety or well-being.

Purposeful Planning for Positive Change

Our plans are designed to improve safety, stability, and well-being. Everyone involved knows the next steps, and we focus on making real, lasting changes in the lives of children, young people, and their families.

We regularly review what’s working and what needs to improve.

Celebrating Progress

We check our plans and assessments to make sure they’re helping children move forward.

We celebrate every step of progress and adjust our plans when needed to keep children safe, happy, and thriving.

Quality Care That Makes a Difference

We are committed to delivering high-quality care. We build strong relationships and recognise the unique strengths and talents of every child.

We understand that children need time, patience, and understanding to succeed and we follow all legal and professional guidance to support them fully.

Reflective and Thoughtful Practice

Reflection helps us learn, grow, and stay focused on what’s best for each child. This is why we take time to reflect on our work, thinking carefully about every decision. We record our reflections to guide our actions and improve outcomes.

Confident, Skilled, and Accountable

We are always learning. Through ongoing professional development and support from the Rotherham Learning Academy, we build confidence in our practice. We reflect on our experiences and those of others to continually improve the care we provide.