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

This strategy is grounded in the belief that every child deserves care, safety, and belonging, regardless of background or circumstance. As corporate parents, we have a moral and legal duty to act as any good parent would – providing not only safety and support but a sense of identity, inclusion, and aspiration.

We recognise that looked-after children face additional barriers and disadvantages – particularly those from minoritised ethnic backgrounds, with disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, or neurodivergent profiles. Our sufficiency response must actively work to reduce inequality, avoid bias, and promote belonging.

• Key commitments: Ensure that placement matching considers culture, language, identity, and personal history.
• Co-design provision that reflects diverse lived experiences.
• Train our carers and staff in inclusive, anti-discriminatory practice.
• Monitor placement outcomes by protected characteristics to reduce disproportionality.
• Work closely with partners (for example health, education, SEND) to make reasonable adjustments and deliver wraparound inclusion support.

Our strategy is aligned with the Equality Act 2010, and we will embed Equality Impact Assessments into all key decisions regarding commissioning, development, and service redesign.

Under the Children and Social Work Act 2017, local authorities must have regard to seven corporate parenting principles. This strategy reflects these by:

• Acting in the child’s best interests – placing stability, care and recovery at the centre.
• Promoting physical and mental health – through trauma-informed and CAMHS-integrated models.
• Encouraging high aspirations – designing homes and support pathways that build independence.
• Listening to views, wishes and feelings – co-producing reforms through We Do Care, consultation events, and case-level participation.
• Providing stability and preparing for adulthood – through improved transitions and step-down pathways.
• Being safe and feeling safe – ensuring high-quality, regulated provision close to home.
• Promoting positive relationships – investing in fostering networks and smaller therapeutic homes.

These commitments are not standalone; they are woven throughout every objective and action in this strategy. They will be embedded in delivery planning, workforce development, performance measurement, and co-production activity.

We will work relentlessly to ensure that our sufficiency response is not just lawful, but just – giving every child what they need to thrive.