Barking and Dagenham Council has announced ambitious plans to transform care for high-risk children in the borough, following a provisional offer of £5.4 million from the Department for Education (DfE). The funding is part of a wider £11 million capital investment by the council over the next decade to build and refurbish specialist homes for vulnerable young people. The DfE is match funding the capital portion of this investment.

The initiative will see seven properties developed into three high quality residential homes, providing care for 11 to 17 year-old children with complex needs, including those who are subject to Deprivation of Liberty Orders (Dolos). These are welfare orders designed to protect children from harm, whether from themselves, others, or to others. 

These homes will offer a safe, supportive environment for children who are currently placed in costly, unregulated settings.

The homes will be operated in partnership with respected nonprofit organisations. The council aims to finalise site selections by January 2026, with construction beginning shortly after and the homes opening in 2027.

Over the next 10 years, the council will spend £140 million on care for these children while saving an estimated £23 million by reducing reliance on external placements, which can cost up to £28,000 per week per child. The initiative will also create local jobs, boost training and development in the care sector, and keep investment within the local economy.

Councillor Jane Jones, Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Care and Disabilities, said: “This is a long-term commitment to our children and our community. By managing care locally, we can provide better outcomes and reduce the risk of young people entering the adult care system.”

This programme is exclusively for children from Barking and Dagenham, ensuring that the borough’s most vulnerable receive the care and support they need, close to home.