- More than 9 out of 10 local councils struggle to find homes for children with complex needs, often being forced to place them far from their home borough.
- Southwark Council has reduced the average placement distance of children from the borough every year over the last five years.
- Now, the council has gone further by investing nearly £3m to open a new children’s home in Southwark.
Southwark Council is proud to be opening a new children’s home as it aims to further reduce the number of placements out of the borough.
The majority of children in the council’s care are in foster care in family homes in or near the borough and this meets their needs very well. A smaller proportion of children’s needs are best met in alternative living arrangements like children’s homes.
The lack of good quality children’s homes across the UK means that children are often placed many miles away from their home borough – far from their families, friends and other people who are important to them. This is hugely unsettling and disruptive for the children.
Southwark Council has reduced the average placement distance of children from the borough every year over the last five years through an ongoing recruitment drive for local foster carers.
Now, a vacant property has been transformed into a state-of-the-art, climate-friendly children’s home following a £3m investment, half funded directly by Southwark Council and half by a government grant the council secured.
The new home is within close reach of the communities that young people are familiar with, the council’s social work and clinical teams, and all the services offered by the council and other partners in the borough.
Cllr Jasmine Ali, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Education & Refugees, said: “In Southwark, we will do anything necessary to level the playing field for the children we look after. As corporate parents, we want to keep children close to the area, their loved ones, schools and services they are familiar with. Our new children’s home is light, inviting and safe; exactly the type of environment for a great childhood, providing our young people with the best start in life.”
“Following a successful recruitment campaign, we have managed to recruit an excellent, highly-qualified team committed to the best possible support for our young residents.”
Commenting on the wider national issue of placement costs, Cllr Ali said: “All too often local councils are essentially writing blank cheques to private care providers in the current system. It’s an acute issue that Southwark, alongside other London councils, have urged the government to act upon urgently. We welcomed news that the forthcoming Children’s Wellbeing Bill is intended to include measures to address placement costs.”
Location is an important factor which needs to be balanced with children’s other needs. For example, out-of-area-placements can be necessary for safeguarding reasons.