Southwark council opens new children’s home to reduce out-of-borough placements

A council has opened a new children’s home in a bid to further reduce the number of children being moved into care outside the borough.

A vacant property in Southwark has been transformed into a brand new children’s home, following a £3million investment from Southwark council and a government grant it secured.

The new home is within close reach of 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 and Refugees, said: “In Southwark, we will do anything necessary to level the playing field for the children we look after. 

“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.”

The move comes in response to the number of children being placed miles away from their home borough, separating them from their families, friends and disrupting their support networks.

Southwark council said the majority of children in its care are fostered in family homes in or near the borough. 

But, there are a “small proportion” of children whose needs require 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.

According to the latest government data, more than nine in 10 local authorities struggle to find homes for children with complex needs within their own borough.

Through an ongoing recruitment drive for foster carers within Southwark, the council has reduced the average placement distance of children from the borough every year over the last five years.

Pictured top: Southwark council;s HQ in Tooley Street (Picture: Google Street View)