Lewisham has opened its first council-run children's home, marking a significant step in the borough's commitment to providing better care for vulnerable children.
The announcement was made by Councillor Rotimi Skyers, Cabinet Member for Children, SEND, Youth Empowerment and Culture, during a Council meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
Councillor Skyers stated that the investment in the new home aims to keep children closer to their support networks, moving away from reliance on the private market which often results in young people being placed far from their families and friends. This move also aims to ensure that public money is prioritised for the needs of children rather than private profit.
For far too long, we, and along with many other councils across the country, have been dependent on the private market for residential children's care,
Councillor Skyers explained. The result is that vulnerable children are often moved miles away from their friends, their family, loved ones, and other support networks.
The council's first council-run children's home in decades will allow Lewisham to take direct responsibility for the quality of care, safeguarding, staffing, culture, and outcomes for its most vulnerable children.
Currently, 51 Lewisham children are in residential care, with only a quarter of them placed within the borough. The cost of these external placements amounts to nearly £30 million annually, with some individual placements exceeding £10,000 per week. Councillor Skyers emphasised that this initiative is not solely about cost-saving but about creating stability, belonging, and better outcomes for children.
By investing in a council-run children's home today, we're investing in the future of children who need us to step up, provide consistency, and create a place where they can feel safe,
he added.
The council plans to ensure the home opens to the highest standards, with significant work ahead in securing the building, recruiting staff, and obtaining Ofsted registration.
