Children’s homes provide full-time residential care for children who cannot live with their birth families. For professionals — whether you’re a social worker, IRO, commissioner, or residential practitioner — understanding how children’s homes operate is essential to safeguarding, care planning, and regulatory compliance.
This guide outlines the structure, purpose, and professional standards that define children’s homes across England.
Definition and Legal Basis
A children’s home is legally defined under the Care Standards Act 2000 as:
“Any home that provides care and accommodation wholly or mainly for children.”
In England, children’s homes are governed by:
- Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015
- Quality Standards
- Inspected by Ofsted
All providers must register with Ofsted, appoint a Registered Manager, and ensure staff are trained to meet children’s emotional, developmental, and safeguarding needs.
Types of Children’s Homes
Mainstream homes
For children with general care needs
Therapeutic homes
Trauma-informed settings with psychological support
Short-term provision
Bridging placements or crisis support
Homes for children with disabilities
Adapted for physical, learning, or complex medical needs
Secure Children’s Homes (SCHs)
Highly regulated, locked environments for children at serious risk
At Welcare, we operate therapeutic homes grounded in trauma-informed practice, with integrated emotional support and a strong focus on long-term outcomes.
Children Placed in Residential Care
Children are placed in children’s homes when:
- Family placements (e.g. fostering, kinship) are unsuitable or have broken down
- Therapeutic or structured environments are required
- The child’s needs exceed what a foster placement can safely provide
- They are unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) or at risk of harm
- Secure or emergency protection is needed
Legal status may fall under:
- Section 20 (voluntary care with parental consent)
- Section 31 (Care Order — shared Parental Responsibility)
- Youth justice or immigration pathways
Core Functions of Children’s Homes
Professionals should understand that children’s homes are responsible for:
- Day-to-day care and consistency in relationships
- Implementing Care Plans and contributing to LAC reviews
- Delivering education support via PEPs and school liaison
- Facilitating contact with birth families or significant others
- Preparing children for independent living or family reunification
- Providing emotional support and therapeutic input where required
Staffing typically includes:
- Registered and Deputy Managers
- Key Workers
- Waking Night/Residential Support Workers
- Clinical or Therapeutic Leads (in trauma-informed homes)
Ofsted Regulation and Oversight
- Safeguarding and risk management
- Emotional support and key working
- Leadership and management competence
- Voice of the child and participation
- Educational engagement and health access
Professional Interfaces and Collaboration
Children’s homes are never standalone; they operate within a complex care ecosystem. Effective collaboration is essential across:
Social workers
Care planning, reviews, placement stability
IROs
Oversight and challenge where needed
Virtual School Heads
Educational progress and inclusion
CAMHS / MHSTs
Mental health support and assessment
Advocates and Legal Teams
Rights protection, participation, legal compliance
Families and Carers
Identity and contact work, permanency planning
Welcare promotes proactive partnership working to improve outcomes and accountability across all placements.
Further Reading
Government Guidance
- Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 – GOV.UK
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