Care and support

Residential Childcare Services

The service provides residential care for young people who are looked after by Hertfordshire County Council. The mainstream homes provide care for young people who, because of their emotional and behavioural needs, are unable to live in a family situation and require a period of positive residential care.

What type of homes are there in Hertfordshire?

There are three homes for children with disabilities, two providing short breaks to enable young people to remain within their families and one offering long term care for young people with physical and learning disabilities.

Who works in the homes?

Each home has:

• a registered manager who is responsible to both HCC and also directly to the Commission for Social care Inspection (CSCI), for the operation of the home
• a head of care who acts as a deputy manager, and has specific responsibility for care practice within the home
• a number of childcare workers who are employed to provide day to day care for the young people

What happens to young people in residential care?

When young people enter a children’s home to live there for the first time, it can be a very worrying and disconcerting experience. There are quite a lot of staff and several other children, all of whom they need to get to know. A child’s care journey to a residential home may have been extremely traumatic and they may wish to kick back against individuals and the system which has placed them there.

Together the staff help children and young people to feel safe, provide them with positive, stimulating and enjoyable experiences, and take time to help them plan for their future lives.

What is the aim of residential care?

The overall aim of the service is to provide care of the highest quality, which allows young people to feel safe and nurtured helps them to move on positively. Although living in a children’s home can be a strange experience, children are often very positive about the care they receive and their ambitions.

Where can I read more?

A more comprehensive report on residential childcare services in Hertfordshire can be found in the Director's Annual Report - Social care for children and young people (CSF0060). Follow the link on this page.