Havering Council is proud to announce that it has successfully secured a share of £53 million in capital match funding from the Department for Education with the NHS NE London Integrated Care Board.
This significant investment is aimed at creating new local placements for children with complex multiple needs who are at risk of, or have been, deprived of their liberty.
The funding will contribute to the national initiative to develop up to 200 additional children’s home places across England, providing safe, high-quality, specialist care for some of the most vulnerable children in our communities.
The initiative addresses a critical national shortage of suitable provision, which has often resulted in children being placed at a distance from their local communities in costly accommodation.
This award follows a competitive bidding process led by the Department for Education, inviting local authorities to submit plans for specialist children’s homes.
Havering’s successful joint application with the NHS North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) application reflects our commitment to improving services for our children in care with complex needs and ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
In Havering, the share of the national funding amounts to £1,030,000.
Councillor Oscar Ford, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
"Ensuring that our most vulnerable children have the care and support they need, close to home and within their own community, is absolutely vital.
“This investment will allow us to provide up to six high-quality, specialist places in local homes within Havering, so children can remain near their families and support networks while receiving the help they need to thrive.
“Havering Council is grateful for the opportunity to participate in this transformative initiative and looks forward to the successful delivery of this important project."
Luke Burton, Havering’s Joint Director of Partnerships, Delivery and Impact for NHS North East London, said:
“We're delighted to secure this funding which will help us transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable children and their families. It's an example of the great collaboration taking place across the local health and care system.
“We look forward to working with local authority partners to deliver this welcome and much-needed initiative."