Children in care

Referring a child to care in Hackney

If you work for another local authority and you’re placing a cared for child in a foster home in Hackney, you must notify us. Email cscreferrals@hackney.gcsx.gov.uk.

Residential homes

We provide residential accommodation for children up to 16 years old who cannot live with their birth families.

Residential homes provide food, shelter and space for play and leisure in a caring environment.

Before we place children in a residential home, we will assess their needs. This assessment will involve the young person and, if appropriate, their family. It will also include social workers and residential staff.

Care plans for children in residential homes

Residential homes look after children with many different needs. When children and young people come to live in a children’s home they will have a care plan.

Their care plan says:

why a child is living in a home
what is supposed to happen while they’re living there
what is expected to happen at the end of their stay

Most children will go home, but some will go to live with other families and some will go to live in other homes. Older children who are not planning to return home are given help to prepare them for living on their own.

Education and socialising for children in foster homes

If a child has a school place, they will continue to go to school – or we help to get them back into school.

If possible, we will help children and young people to stay in touch with their family and friends. Some children will not be able to see their family or friends if it will put them at risk or there’s a court order preventing it.

In this situation, we provide an independent visitors’ service. Independent visitors are stable role models and mentors for children in care. They are volunteers who visit the young person every month to provide support, share interests and hobbies and have fun.

We also make sure children’s religious and cultural needs are met.