The decision to place a young person in residential care is a significant one, impacting their life trajectory.
Residential care can provide a stable, supportive environment for children and adolescents who are unable to live with their families. While foster care is often the preferred option, there are circumstances where a residential setting is better suited to meet a young person’s needs.
In the UK, an estimated 107317 children were in residential care as at 31st March 2023.
In this blog post, we delve into the circumstances that might lead to residential care placement, the conditions that necessitate it, and the decision-making process.
Circumstances Leading to Residential Care
Several situations can bring a young person to the point of needing residential care.
Abuse or neglect
If a child protection investigation reveals a young person is experiencing physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or is being neglected by their parents or guardians, social services may determine that the child is no longer safe living in that environment.
In these cases, the young person or child is removed from the home and placed in the care of the local authority, which often means a residential children’s home.
Family breakdown
Divorce, separation, parental illness, disability, or substance abuse, can create instability at home. If a breakdown in the family unit leaves a young person vulnerable, residential care can offer a temporary or long-term secure environment.
A residential placement can provide the child with a safe and stable environment while the family receives support to address their issues.
Complex needs
Some young people require specialised care due to disabilities, learning difficulties, or behavioural problems. Residential care settings with trained staff can provide the level of support these young people require to thrive.
Unaccompanied minors
The UK faces an influx of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum or refuge. In the past 12 months, there were 3412 unaccompanied minors seeking refugee status in the UK.
Unaccompanied minors are children who have entered the country without a parent or guardian, often fleeing war, persecution, or other forms of violence.
These children are considered vulnerable and are typically placed in the care of local authorities.
Residential care provides a safe space and facilitates their integration into society.
Offending behaviour
In some cases, young people who exhibit serious behavioural problems that pose a risk to themselves or others may benefit from the structure and intervention programs offered in residential care settings.
Preparation for independent living
Residential care can also play an important role in preparing young people for independent living as they approach adulthood.
Many residential homes offer a “pathway program” that gradually introduces young people to the responsibilities of living on their own through semi-independent living arrangements and life skills training.
Conditions Necessitating Residential Care
While the circumstances listed above provide a framework, the decision for residential care ultimately hinges on the specific needs of the young person. Here are some key factors considered.
- Safety: Is the young person at immediate risk of harm at home? Are they struggling with self-harm or suicidal thoughts? In these cases, residential care provides a safe space with 24/7 supervision.
- Mental Health: Does the young person require intensive mental health support that cannot be effectively delivered in an outpatient setting? Residential care often offers a combination of therapy, group work, and medication management.
- Level of Support: Can the family provide the level of care the young person needs? If the family lacks the resources or expertise to manage complex needs, residential care with trained staff can fill the gap.
Decision-Making Process and Considerations
Placing a young person in residential care is not a unilateral decision. It involves collaboration between various stakeholders, ensuring a thorough and well-considered process.
- Social Services: Social workers assess the situation, gathering information from the family, school, and relevant agencies. They evaluate the available resources and support systems at home to determine if residential care is necessary.
- Parents/Carers: Parents or guardians have a say in the decision, although it is ultimately made in the young person’s best interests. Social workers will work with families to explore all support options before placement.
- The Courts: In certain cases, the courts may become involved, particularly when there are disagreements about placement or concerns about parental capacity.
- The Young Person: While the decision might not solely rest with them, the young person’s voice should be heard throughout the process. Social workers involve them in discussions according to their age and maturity level.
The Process of Placement
Once residential care is deemed the best course of action, the following steps usually occur.
- Finding a Suitable Placement: Social workers identify a residential care setting that caters to the young person’s specific needs and circumstances. Factors like location, size, and the types of care offered play a role in the selection.
- Preparation and Transition: Social workers prepare the young person and their family for the placement. This may involve visits to the residential setting, introductions to staff, and discussions about expectations.
- Ongoing Support: Social workers continue to monitor the placement, liaising with the residential care staff, family, and the young person to ensure the placement remains appropriate and is meeting their needs.
The Benefits of Residential Care
While being placed in care can be a difficult and unsettling experience for a young person, residential care can also provide many benefits.
- A safe, stable, and nurturing environment
- 24-hour support from trained staff
- Opportunities to build positive relationships with peers and adults
- Access to education, activities, and therapies tailored to the young person’s needs
- Support in developing independent living skills
- Assistance in maintaining contact with family members, where appropriate.
Is Residential Care the Right Choice? Final Thoughts
While residential care is not a perfect substitute for a loving family environment, it can be a vital and necessary intervention for young people who are unable to live with their parents or guardians due to abuse, neglect, family breakdown, or other complex circumstances.
For some young people, particularly those with significant behavioural, emotional, or mental health needs, a residential setting may be the best option to ensure their safety and provide them with the intensive support and therapeutic services they require.
That said, the decision to place a young person in residential care is a complex one that should be made carefully and with the input of the young person, their family (where appropriate), social workers, and other key professionals.
Residential care should always be considered a temporary solution, with the ultimate goal being to either reunite the young person with their family or prepare them for independent living.
To ensure that residential care is as beneficial as possible for the young person, it is crucial that their individual needs are thoroughly assessed, that they are placed in a home that is well-suited to meet those needs, and that they are supported throughout the transition process.
Involving the young person in decision-making, providing them with information and support, and ensuring that their voice is heard and respected is also key to a successful placement.
Ultimately, while residential care may not be the ideal solution, it can provide young people with a safe haven, access to support services, and opportunities to heal, learn, and grow that they may not have access to otherwise.
By carefully considering the needs of each young person and ensuring that they receive high-quality, trauma-informed care, residential care can play a vital role in supporting vulnerable young people and helping them to reach their full potential.
