Welcome
The Independent Children’s Homes Association (ICHA) is the voice of independent providers of child care services and resources for children and young people. We are a Not for Profit association representing professionals who have chosen to work in the independent sector.
We have a rapidly increasing membership with over 100 member organisations, currently representing approximately half of all residential care placements in the private and voluntary sector in England and Wales. Some members have just one home whilst others have many separate homes across the country.
What we do..
ICHA represents providers’ perspectives on the most pressing issues of the day on the quality of Child Care and outcomes for vulnerable children. Advocating for child-centred care, ICHA is proactive in setting the agenda with local and national government and with their agencies , such as Ofsted. You will regularly read ICHA material in the press and see and hear ICHA officers on TV and radio. ICHA responds to all relevant consultations regionally and nationally.
More practically ICHA supports its members through a range of activities and services. This includes providing advice and guidance to its members. Members receive weekly Bulletins which provide essential information concerning residential childcare. All our members are also included in the well-regarded ICHA Commissioners Handbook, a key resource for local authorities seeking placements.
Who listens to us..
Department for Education and across Parliament ( including meeting with Ministers and Government officials), Local Government Association, Regional Databases, Regional Consortia, Ofsted, CRB, CBI, NICE, Skills for Care, the Welsh Assembly, Local Authorities.
We work closely with our colleagues in NASS and NAFP
Media Section and Featured articles
ICHA Research Report - The Best Regulator We Can Achieve Together
Time to Step up for RCC Campaign
ICHA response to Still Our Children May 2013
ICHA response to Care Inquiry Report Final
ICHA response to ADCS What is care for (Adolescence) and RiP research review
Executive summary- ICHA Research Review - placement at distance from home Jan 2012
ICHA Research Review - placement at distance from home Jan 2012
These four links (above) to ICHA summaries and research reviews are essential reading for all policy makers and practitioners regarding two of the most prominent matters regarding Looked After Children. Tim Loughton - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families- has signalled that in the near future he will be issuing new instructions to local authorities regarding placing children at distance
Executive Summary -ICHA Research Review - Stability continuity and felt security Sept 2011
ICHA Research Review - Stability continuity and felt security Sept 2011
Huffington Post Blogs by Jonathan Stanley
Community Care Blog by Jonathan Stanley
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