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 small 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.

Please select from the options below.

Regulation 44 Network members’ area

dialogue undertook national research in 2022 on the impact of Reg44. This shows the difference we make, with key lessons around guidance, training and other areas. Download a copy for free here:

Regulation 44 Impact Analysis research download

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 admin@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.

download independent person job description
download dialogue application form

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 next meeting for the Regulation 44 network is on Wednesday 13th December 2023 at 1pm-4pm.

The 2024 Regulation 44 network meetings will be at 1pm-4pm on Monday 11th March, Tuesday 11th June, Tuesday 17th September and Monday 9th December.

To attend the meeting visit the members area – you’ll need to have joined the network (below) to have been sent the password.


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
  • An online forum for on-going discussion of issues and notification of new guidance and similar
  • 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 CHA 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 2023.

regulation 44 training

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.

Click below to see dates, book or express interest.

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 £112+VAT for members (£149 non-members). One or two sessions can be missed and caught up with our ‘watch again’ option.

Click below to see dates, book or express interest.

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 non-members). Both sessions must be attended live in order to complete this refresher training.

Click below to see dates, book or express interest.

can’t make those dates?

If the dates are no good,  you can complete the booking form and select ‘express interest only for now’ on the details and we’ll send you the next set of dates when these get booked in.

Chris Freestone is one of our independent people. Chris has been a nurse and nurse lecturer, lecturer at Exeter College and head teacher at the Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, the director of an independent fostering agency and a lead inspector for CSCI and Ofsted. She brings a compassionate but calmly analytic presence and has the ability to get alongside both vulnerable people and senior managers to explore their experience, compare these to the requirements of the regulatory and inspection framework and to help managers reach decisions that further improve their service. Chris has a wealth of experience and has a facilitative rather than directive style which ensures participants leave the day feeling clearer, more skilled and more confident in their approach.

John Woodhouse has a background in managing children’s homes, senior social work management and children’s rights and advocacy at a national level. He is now managing director of dialogue and safeguarding network (a service providing support and in-house training packs to school Designated Safeguarding Leads). John has an energy and enthusiasm for enjoying children and young people’s perspective on things, working to align the system to the needs of children and learning from open, reflective conversations with practitioners and managers about their settings.

Liz Cooper’s lengthy career has been spent in health and social care. She initially started in nursing, registering as a children’s, adult, and psychiatric nurse, spending several years as a Unit Manager.  Liz is also a qualified teacher and has a Masters degree in Business Management. Liz was an inspector for 8 years and a Director and RI of a group of good and outstanding children’s homes for 12 years. Prior to coming to Dialogue, Liz was the Deputy CEO of the Independent Children’s Home Association and is currently the Chair for the revamped Childrens Home Association.

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.