Council invests in local care for children with complex needs

Newham Council is set to invest in local care for children with complex needs by developing two new children's homes within the borough. The decision, approved by Laura Eden, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, aims to address a critical shortage of local provision for young people with complex mental health needs and those at risk of deprivation of liberty orders.

The council will refurbish two of its own properties, referred to as Property 1 and Property 2, to create these much-needed facilities. This initiative is supported by a £1.680 million grant from the Department for Education, which will cover approximately 45% of the refurbishment costs. The council will contribute the remaining £2.032 million from its existing capital allocation for children's services.

Currently, Newham has 34 children placed in residential children's homes, all of whom are located outside the borough. The project aims to increase the number of residential children's homes in and near Newham and reduce the number of young people requiring residential homes outside the borough. All of these children are currently placed out of borough due to a lack of appropriate provision locally. The report states that there are currently 17 children who could be cared for in the proposed children's homes locally, receiving all the benefits highlighted in this report.

Property 1, a single-storey building, will be converted to provide four bedrooms for children, along with necessary living spaces, sensory rooms, and staff facilities. Property 2, a two-storey building, will also offer four bedrooms, along with communal areas and staff facilities. In total, the two new children's homes will deliver a minimum of eight beds across the two facilities.

These homes are intended for Newham children in care with complex needs. Specifically, the homes will cater to children with multiple and complex needs including those at risk of self harm, mental health issues, suicidal ideation and self-harming. Additionally, some children are or at risk of being exploited, either sexually or criminally, and due to their trauma, some present with behaviours that challenge, ranging from signs of physical aggression towards their peers and care givers, to damage to property.

The development aligns with the council's commitment to its Newham Living strategy and aims to provide high-quality, therapeutic care underpinned by the Newham Circles of Support Practice Model Framework. The service will offer innovative practice underpinned by the Newham Circles of Support Practice Model Framework. The council will be able to provide bespoke high quality residential care with local wrap around support within our children's existing support networks. The expected outcome is that moves for children to family setting or community setting will be managed internally and ensure better stability and continuity of care.

The service will be designed with a hub-like approach with quality residential care but the model will also serve as a central point for professionals, families and support networks. The aim is to support them to achieve long term positive outcomes and promote children moving from residential care to foster care or reunifying with the kinship networks where it is safe to do so. The report also mentions that local homes will help maintain local connections for our children.

Both properties are expected to be operational by June 2028 and October 2028 respectively, following refurbishment and Ofsted registration. The new homes will operate under Newham Council's management, allowing for greater control over the children's care journeys and smoother transitions to lower-level care settings.

This decision was made on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and is subject to a call-in period. The report notes that Key decisions made by officers cannot be implemented until the 6th working day following the date of publication of the decision to allow members to consider whether or not to call in the decision. ¹