Difficult Conversations: Building Trust Through a Reg 44 Lens

Whether it’s conflict between colleagues, performance concerns or responding to poor practice- difficult conversations are part of residential life. For Reg 44 visitors, these conversations carry additional complexity, as they must balance independence with accountability while maintaining strong, professional relationships with managers, staff and young people.

This session is delivered through a Regulation 44 lens, aligning with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015, the Care Standards Act 2000, and the Quality Standards, particularly Leadership and Management, Protection and Relationships. These frameworks expect visitors to provide constructive challenge, promote transparency and support reflective practice during monthly visits.

In this interactive, psychology-informed session, Dr Natalie V. Bailey shares strategies, structures and scripts that support staff, leaders and Reg 44 visitors to have brave conversations without losing safety, dignity or direction.

Participants will explore how Reg 44 visitors can raise concerns clearly, share observations sensitively and navigate defensiveness or tension with confidence and compassion. You will learn how to prepare for challenging discussions, regulate yourself under pressure and say what needs to be said in a way that lands, not wounds.

The session supports visitors to offer respectful challenge, uphold accountability and strengthen relationships -all central to effective Regulation 44 practice.

Say what matters. Keep the relationship. This is what brave, intentional communication looks like in residential care.

Learning Outcome:

• Clarity on the three most common types of difficult conversation,and how to prepare for each
• Confidence to speak up when it counts, without fear or avoidance
• Language that balances honesty, empathy and authority
• Emotional self-regulation strategies to stay grounded during tense moments
• Trauma-aware techniques to protect psychological safety and relationships
• A practical framework to plan, deliver and follow up conversations that matter
• Confidence for Reg 44 visitors to share observations, reference legislation where relevant, raise concerns and offer constructive challenge in ways that uphold independence while maintaining strong, trusting relationships with managers, staff and young people.

About the Trainer:

Dr Natalie V. Bailey is a Muti-Award-Winning psychologist, TEDx speaker and trainer known for her impactful work in children’s homes, supported accommodation, and emotional well-being services. With a background in NHS CAMHS and a specialism in trauma-aware care, Dr Bailey brings psychological clarity and practical strategy to the everyday challenges of caregiving and leadership. Her work helps teams lead, connect and respond with greater confidence, calm and compassion.

Delivery - The virtual classroom is hosted on Zoom. Participants need access to a laptop or tablet with a camera and microphone, a quiet and private space to join from, and to have made sure they can access Zoom. A certificate will be provided.

Cost: £60+VAT

We issue a limited amount of tickets to enable maximum participation. If this session is sold out please email your details to: office@childrenshomesquality.com and we will add you to the waiting list and inform you when the next course will be held.

https://childrenshomesquality.com/