Research in Practice has been commissioned by the Department for Education (DfE) to draft Career Standards for the children’s homes workforce. We are inviting professionals and young people aged 16-25 from across England to contribute to this work. 

The draft Career Standards will follow the expert-led review of the children's homes workforce, led by Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang at the Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust. They intend to set clear expectations that improve quality and consistency in practice.

By taking part in this consultation activity, participants will have the opportunity to review key domains in the draft Career Standards, identify any gaps, issues or unintended consequences, provide feedback on clarity and accessibility. This will ensure that the Career Standards reflect what good practice looks like for the children’s homes workforce.

Who can take part?

We would like to speak to professionals in the following roles:

• practitioners working directly with children and young people in children’s homes (including children’s homes workers/practitioners, senior children’s homes workers/practitioners, deputy team managers)
• Registered Managers
• Responsible Individuals
• representatives from awarding organisations.

We are also keen to speak to young people aged 16-25 with a wide range of experiences of living in children’s homes. This will take place through virtual or hybrid focus groups and interviews between November 2026 – January 2027.

Our project team can come to pre-existing meetings facilitated by local authorities, voluntary and community organisations, providers and other organisations. We can also arrange individual interviews where this is preferable. There will need to be a trusted adult present to support any young people wishing to take part. Young people will be remunerated for their contributions.

In line with the scope of the Career Standards, we welcome contributions from people who live or work in, or work alongside, any type of Ofsted-registered children’s home.