Residential care for children and children's homes are there to ensure that the needs of children are met when they cannot live with their own family. They are a place for children to develop and grow, as well as providing food, shelter, and space for play and leisure in a caring environment. Children's homes look after children with many different needs.
When children and young people come to live in a children's home they will have a care plan. Their care plan says why a child is living in a home, what is supposed to happen while they are living there and what is supposed to happen at the end of their stay.
Most children will go home, but a few go to live with other families and a few go to live in other homes. Older children who are not planning to return home, are given help to prepare them for living on their own - this is called leaving care.
Education is important. Children go to their own school if they have a school place, or we help to get them back into school.
It is very important that children and young people stay in touch with their family and friends. It is only when they might be hurt, or a court order says that contact is not allowed, that some children will not be able to have visits from their family or will not be able to visit them.
Children and young people are respected as individuals. By providing for their religious and cultural needs children are encouraged to keep their sense of personal identity and community.
Who is eligible
Eligibility for the service
An assessment is undertaken by a Social Worker with the family which includes the extended family. The service will only be considered when it is not possible for the child to live with their family and it is in the best interests of the child to live away from their own families.
The reasons for this can include:
- their parents are unwell and are unable to look after their children
- children are subject of abuse or neglect
- they have serious problems with their family and need to spend some time away from home, e.g. behaviour problems or educational difficulties
- they may have a disability and need a break from living with their families
- they are in the care of local authority subject on a court order or an interim care order.
Generally, when children and young people need to live away from their families, they will stay with foster carers. It is only when Foster care is not possible following an assessment will a child be place in a residential home.
In all cases, we make sure that all the alternatives are fully considered before recommending residential care.