Children Residential Care Homes
Frequently Asked Questions
Please find answers to some frequently asked questions.
Why do we need children's homes?
Taking children away from their homes is always a last resort, but there are some cases where they can’t be looked after by their parents. In these cases, children may become looked after by the local authority, which has a duty under The Children Act 1989 to place such children in the most appropriate placement available. Looked after children are children in our care.
Sometimes a children’s home might be the best place for a child, when or where a relative, friend, connected person or foster carer might not be available or appropriate.
There is a duty on local authorities to ensure, as far as reasonably possible, any residential placement for a child in our care will:
- allow the child to live near their home
- does not disrupt their education (particularly at Key Stage 4)
- let siblings live together if they're all looked after by the local authority
- provides accommodation that is suitable to the child’s needs if the child is disabled
- is within the local authority’s area
Why are you opening new children's homes in Southwark?
Southwark does not currently have any children’s homes in the borough.
This means too many of our children who need to stay in a children’s home have to be sent far from their friends, schools and communities. We need to provide children’s homes in the borough so the young people who do need to be in a home, and can do so safely, can remain in or close to the borough. This is particularly necessary to support children from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds. Children with these backgrounds face significant disadvantages, both in terms of their identity and their education when placed in care further away from their homes, when compared to white children.
There are some circumstances where it's necessary to place a child away from their community, for example to meet certain specialist needs. However, placement at a distance makes it difficult for children to keep up relationships with their family and friends, and for some children placement at a distance can increase risks.
What happens in a children’s home?
Modern children’s homes are based on a model of care that is as close to family life as possible. Ofsted, the regulator of these settings, prefers homes that are non-institutional and homely.
St Mary's will provide accommodation and therapeutic support for up to five children of all genders who are between the ages of 10 and16 years, who have the opportunity to return to family settings where it's in their best interests to do so.
For most children, local services offer clear benefits including better connections with family, education, therapeutic and other local services to support their needs.
Our new homes will offer holistic support to meet the needs of children, linking to our excellent education and health services within Southwark.
How will the children be cared for in the home?
During the daytime there will usually be three staff in the home. This allows flexibility to allow children to be accompanied by staff to follow their individual interests outside of the home.
The staff will be supported by a manager who is registered by Ofsted, a national organisation that is responsible for the regulation of children’s homes. The council will expect and ensure that the staff receive the relevant training to provide skilled and compassionate support to children in our care.
What happens when the children go out?
Children over ten years of age are allowed to leave their home to travel to school, visit with their friends, play in the park, etc.This is the same for children in our care. Like any responsible parent, the adults in charge of the home will consider the safety of the child in leaving the home alone, the time of day, ability to act responsibly and ability to travel independently including road safety. Otherwise, a child would be accompanied, just like any caring parent would with their children.
What are the needs of the children?
The children who come into our homes will have a wide range of needs and support. Some may just need a place to stay for a few days until they can go home, others may have had difficult experiences at home and need a bit more care and support. In every case the children will be given the support they need to thrive and develop in a safe and caring environment.
How will you be consulting with local people?
Once designs are ready to be shown to the public, the design team will organise a public consultation event. The team will review comments and, where appropriate, will incorporate any amendments ahead of a final exhibition to confirm the proposals to be submitted for planning. The local community will also be consulted as part of the planning process.
Page last updated: 29 July 2022
