Regulation 44 support
dialogue runs the national Regulation 44 Independent Person Network, provides regulation 44 training and helps children’s homes and residential special schools find independent people to visit and quality assure their provision. We also run a national Regulation 44 visiting service.
Our network and training explain how organisations can meet the requirements of the regulations, but our focus is always on improving the experience of children and young people living away from home.
Regulation 44 Network
Regulation 44 training
Finding a Regulation 44 visitor
Do you want to work for dialogue?
Reg44 Impact Analysis
Regulation 44 Network
Independent Person Network
Being a Regulation 44 or Standard 3 Independent Person is a skilled and important job. Working alongside children and young people, listening to staff and managers, making judgements about the safety and welfare of young people and being honest & open about the progress of a home is crucial to safe care. It can also be an isolating role and there is limited support on offer.
The Independent Person Network was set up in response to requests from Regulation 44 and Standard 3 visitors to meet this need. You’ll find details of the network, benefits and opportunities for Regulation 44 training opportunities below.
The first meeting of 2026 for the Regulation 44 network will be:
- Monday 2nd February 2026 – This meeting will all be at the new time of 9:30am – 11:30am.
To attend the meetings, visit the members’ area, which you’ll find in your profile on our my account area. If you’re not yet a member, then you can sign up using the form below.
You’ll also receive FREE individual dialogue membership with weekly meetings – you can also access this new members area from your my account area
Joining The Independent Person Network
In 2020 we developed and shared some ideas about how Regulation 44 visitors can support one another. There was consensus on a low-cost membership model which gives us the capacity to keep you up to date and provide lots of support to help you in your role. Membership is £99+vat and includes:
- Four 3-hour online sessions a year
– Regulatory, guidance and research updates
– Small group peer support around semi-structured questions
– Speakers on areas of interest to Reg44 visitors
– One regional or national forum event, dependent on local demand and the impact of the pandemic.
- An online forum for on-going discussion of issues and notification of new guidance and similar (coming soon)
- Free initial safeguarding or regulatory advice.
- A register of Regulation 44 visitors who consent for their contact details to be shared with registered managers and RIs of children’s homes seeking a visitor.
- Discounted training places with dialogue.
- Discounted advertising arrangements at the ICHA conference.
- Other benefits achieved through the year, such as sector representation with the regulator or DfE.
To join the Regulation 44 Independent Person Network simply complete the form below. You can also register for the training we have coming up in 2026 on the next tab.
Regulation 44 training
Regulation 44 Training
Outline
There is growing emphasis on homes ensuring a high standard of quality without the drive of a regulatory inspector. Registered Managers are required to ensure they have an independent person who can undertake a rigorous and impartial assessment of the home, but there is little to set out what this looks like in practice.
Our specialist training for regulation 44 visitors is popular and challenging. We support new visitors to understand the role, the application of regulations, the process of planning and undertaking visits and the emphasis on seeing the home from the young person’s point of view. The courses also deal with the challenges of being an independent visitor, the value of being a critical friend to leaders and managers and the craft of creating a clear, developmental and challenging report for the home.
The course is adaptable to Standard 3 visits to residential special schools.
We deliver a 2-day full training course online, and now have an exciting 1-day refresher training course available to book, if you have previously completed training before.
Full 2-day training
Our full 2-day training courses gives visitors from all over the country the chance to get together for shorter sessions. Our approach is interactive with plenty of opportunities for conversation and questions. Often visitors will take away elements from each session to reflect on or practice and return to the next session for a more informed discussion.
The course comprises of six 2-hour Zoom sessions with an experienced Regulation 44 visitor and trainer.
Participants will
- Understand the role of the Visitor within the Regulatory Framework
- Explore their role in planning for, completing and reporting on a visit to the home
- Undertake key areas to be reviewed at each visit
- Recognise the value of young people’s, family and other professionals’ input to their visits
- Recognise and understand the key roles of the Visitor in terms of safeguarding and driving forward the development of the home
- Understand the limitations and sometimes the frustrations in the role.
Each session is in 4 half hour parts. The last part in each session is always a discussion forum where questions can be raised online and either linked into the material of the day (or future days) or discussed at the time.
The course is £120+VAT for members (£160+VAT non-members). One or two sessions can be missed and caught up with our ‘watch again’ option.
The Refresher Course
In a rapidly changing sector, it is important for Independent People (IP) to keep up to speed and assure themselves that the service they offer continues to meet children’s needs. The Regulation 44 Refresher Training course provides an opportunity for IPs to reflect on their practice, explore and share learning and deepen their understanding of the potential impact of sector changes.
The course comprises of two half-day Zoom sessions with an experienced Regulation 44 visitor and trainer.
Session 1
Refocus on the responsibilities of the role of the Independent Person
- Is what you are doing, what you should be doing?
- Reflecting on practice
- Learning from experience
- Changes in the sector and how it informs practice
Session 2
- Personal responsibility and accountability
- External supervision
- CPD
- Practice Guidance
The course is £99+VAT for members (£132+VAT non-members). Both sessions must be attended live in order to complete this refresher training.
Click below to see dates, book or express interest.
The Trainer
Michelle Nicolson, has a 20-year career in Children’s Residential Services working with Children and has previously set up a children’s home after working in long term secure home, a first of it’s kind as a transitional children’s home for young people to move to following their time in a secure children’s home. Michelle has extensive experience of managing inspections and registering homes with Ofsted, with experience in policy writing, management of staff, delivering training and extensive safeguarding knowledge. She also has experience of supporting young people at significant risk of CSE and CCE. Michelle has a history of building strong multiagency care teams to ensure that young people have their needs met and are safe and advocates for young people at every opportunity in supporting them to have their voice heard.
Booking and Dates
This full 2-day course is run over 6 x 2 hour sessions and is £160+VAT. If you have booked five places the sixth place is free.
If you’re experiencing any problems with the booking form, feel free to send the participant details through to admin@dialogueltd.co.uk, or call us on 01803 493030 and we’ll be happy to help.
Can’t make those dates?
use the ‘book training’ button above to register your interest, and a member of the team will send you our next available dates as soon as they are available to book
Finding a Regulation 44 visitor
The Regulation 44 Independent Person Network offers a free service to link children’s homes and residential special schools with our members. Simply complete the form below including details of your requirements, a little about your setting and arrangements for getting in touch.
“We have had lots of responses which has given us a chance to select a best fit. It has made finding someone very easy”
Please note, the Network does not verify or endorse the skills or experience of our members – it is simply a collective way for people to share experience and receive really useful CPD. There is no charge for helping you find a visitor, but you are responsible for your own checks on anyone who applies and should follow a safer recruitment process.
Do you want to work for dialogue?
dialogue has been central to ensuring Independent People get the support and training they need, but now we are looking for your help.
We are recruiting for experienced associate Independent People and consultants for work with our highly qualified team. Successful applicants will be asked to evidence a strong track record in residential child care or inspection, with a strong passion and focus on the experience of young people.
If you’d like to apply, you can download the job description and application form below. Please send your completed application form to apply@dialogueltd.co.uk where they’ll be reviewed. If your application is shortlisted for interview we will be in touch to arrange an interview time with our expert panel.
We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
Reg44 Impact Analysis
Thank you to everyone who contributed to the Regulation 44 impact analysis. We have now completed the analysis of the data and found Independent Persons have a significant impact on safeguarding, welfare, staff, managers, commissioners and inspection.
However, there was much variability in both the quality and expectations of Independent Persons’ work and we’re planning to develop national Practice Guidance to support the role. We have shared the detailed findings with the Department for Education (who were also members of the Independent Advisory Board for the research) ahead of their response to the Independent Care Review.
We presented the findings of the Reg44 Impact Analysis during a free webinar on 16th January 2023.
To access these findings please fill in the form below.