Placement & Homes Strategy for Children and Young People 2026 to 2030

This strategy represents more than a set of commissioning intentions - it is a statement of our unwavering commitment to the children and young people in our care. It marks a shift from reactive provision to purposeful, values-led planning that places the needs, voices, and aspirations of children at its heart.

We will continue to strengthen our early intervention offer, including our integrated Edge of Care and Family Group Conferencing services, to ensure that children can remain safely with their families where appropriate.

We know that our children deserve more than beds - they deserve homes where they feel loved, supported, and understood. They deserve stability, trusted relationships, and opportunities to thrive. We also know that the experience of being in care is not always easy, and the system itself can feel fragmented or impersonal. This strategy sets out how we will change that - by building a system that is coherent, connected, and designed with children, not just for them.

Our commitments will be delivered through collaboration - with foster carers, providers, health and education colleagues,

elected members, and most importantly, children and young people themselves. We will embed the voice of children not just in participation activities, but in governance, service design, and performance monitoring.

We recognise that challenges remain: financial constraints, recruitment pressures, and an evolving national landscape. But we are not deterred. This strategy is underpinned by a realistic plan, informed by data and evidence, and driven by our belief that every child should have the best possible start in life.

Progress will be reviewed regularly. We will hold ourselves accountable. And we will celebrate success - especially when that success means a child feels safe, seen, and settled. This is the standard we set ourselves, and this is the standard we will meet.