Children Need Homes, But There Aren't Enough
There is a big problem in the UK when it comes to finding homes for children who need them, especially kids with complex needs. John Pearce, the President of the Association of Directors of Children's Services (ADCS), says local authorities are struggling.
The main issue is that there are not enough homes available for all the children who need them. More and more homes are opening that only have room for one or a few children. But the number of kids needing homes keeps growing faster than the number of new homes opening.
It's also a challenge that children's homes are not spread out evenly across the country. New homes tend to open in areas where housing is cheaper, not in the places where children most need homes.
Some home providers also don't want to take children with higher needs or disabilities. They worry that it could hurt their rating from Ofsted, the official inspection group. Because of this, children with more complex needs end up having to live very far from their family and friends. This is not good for the children.
It's a serious problem when there aren't enough good homes for the children who need them most. As a society, we should make sure all vulnerable kids can find nurturing homes close to their support systems.
To see the full report click here, ADSC - Childrens Homes Sufficiency
At Supported Living Gateway, we already have a number of Childrens Home Providers looking for more homes across the UK.
If you want to get involved or want to see how you could help, drop us an email at hello@supportedlivinggateway.com using “Childrens Homes” in the subject.