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Children in care

Coming into care

There may be situations where children can no longer live at home with their families. This could be for a number of reasons - illness; a family breakdown or break-up; or parents or carers who are unable to provide the right sort of care and protection.

Initially, we see if there are friends or relatives who could look after the child. If this is not possible or appropriate then we find accommodation for the child and they become 'looked after' by Brent Council.

They may go and live with friends or relatives, in a foster home or a residential home for a few days or weeks or longer if need be.

All these arrangements are made with the agreement of the parents who retain their parental responsibilities. Sometimes, following legal proceedings, the court may decide that a child should not live with his or her family and gives Social Services the authority to make decisions about the child's welfare and future. This will involve deciding where the child should live. This might be with the parents or within the extended family. In some cases, a permanent arrangement outside the family is best for the child.

Read The Brent Pledge leaflet (.pdf, 326.5kB)

The help and support we offer

We listen to young people and talk to those who know them. We make an assessment of their needs and work with them to make plans to help shape their future.

Our aim is to focus on the whole person and support young people's needs in education, training and employment, health, housing and offer emotional support.

We offer as much choice as possible to make sure young people get what they need from our service.

Independent Reviewing Officers

Each child will have an Independent Reviewing Officer. They will lead review meetings that will shape long-term care plans.

Advocacy services

Advocacy is about helping giving people a voice and allowing young people to speak out about what is important.

Any child or young person in that is unhappy about decisions being made about them can ask to speak to an independent advocate. They have the right to have their say and be listened to when decisions are being made about them.

The advocacy service is separate from Children’s Services. They help children and young people in care to put their views and wishes across and make sure they are involved in all decisions about their life.

How an advocate helps

If you are a child or young person who is unhappy about decisions being made about you and you need someone to talk to who is not your social worker or key worker, you can speak to an independent advocate.

You can contact an advocate for lots of different reasons, for example, about:

  • where you live
  • seeing family
  • your education
  • feeling safe
  • information for children and young people

What can an advocate do?

An advocate is someone that can help you to get your voice heard. They are completely separate from Children’s Services and work for you. Advocates will listen to you and help you to put your views and wishes across.

What an advocate can do:

  • Give you information and advice so you understand your rights
  • Speak to those who are making decisions about you (like social workers), to help make sure that you are involved in any plans being made about you.
  • Make sure you understand what people are saying
  • Help you to make a complaint

What will they promise?

Confidentiality: We will not tell other people anything you have said without your permission, unless we are worried about your safety or the safety of another person.

Independence: Coram Voice advocates are independent and here just for you. We do not work for your social worker or the place where you live.

How do I get an advocate?

The Coram Voice helpline is free and available every weekday from 9.30am – 6.00pm, with an answerphone at other times that is checked regularly. We use an interpreting service so that we can communicate with you, no matter what language you speak.

If you have a disability, we can explore the best way to work with you, which may include non-instructed advocacy.

An adult, on behalf of a young person, can also use the Advocacy Service Referral Form (.docx, 40.7kB).

The Virtual School for looked after children

The Virtual School is a service which exists to support and challenge all those involved in the education of children in care. Brent's Virtual School (BVS) does not exist in real terms, or as a building. It brings about improvements in the education and outcomes of Looked after Children (LAC) and Young Care Leavers (YCL) and to promote their educational achievement as if they were in a single school.

Find out more about what the BVS does and how it supports Looked After Children and Care Leavers.

Care in Action council

Brent Care in Action is Brent's Children in Care Council and works to make sure children and young people in and who have left care have the chance to be involved in making decisions and sharing their views about the services and support they receive.

Get involved

If you are a young person in the care of Brent and want to get involved, please speak with your social worker or foster carer who can contact your Participation Officers.

Brent Care in Action encourages children and young people to shape our services so that we can make improvements and respond to their needs.

There are two groups which children and young people can get involved in:

  • Brent Care in Action is for young people in care aged 12+ and care leavers. They meet fortnightly, 5.30pm to 7.30pm on a Tuesday.
  • Junior Care in Action is for children in care aged 7-12 years old. They meet every quarter, 2pm to 4.30pm on a Saturday.

CIA aims to:

  • improve outcomes for children and young people in care
  • provide a forum to express their views
  • influence services and available support
  • develop a partnership with councillor's, directors and senior managers to work together in creating a better experience in care
  • meet other children/young people and take part in fun activities/groups.

Care leavers Local Offer

In addition to helping with accommodation on a short term, permanent or long term basis, we support those who have left care and require on-going advice and/or assistance.

We provide all our care leavers with a personal advisor who will support them to make a smooth transition from being 'looked after' into adulthood so they can start to live independently.

We provide support for young people from the age of 16 to 21. In some cases, if specific support is needed, this can be extended until they are 25. Young people can choose not to use our service at all, or think about using the service when they are older.

View our guide for young people leaving care

Complaints

If you are unhappy or concerned with the care which has been organised, it is important you raise the issue with us so we can try to sort things out. Take a look at the support that is available and what steps to take, if you are considering making a complaint.

Residential Children’s Home

Brent Council is opening a residential children’s home in our borough for 12-17 year olds.

A residential home has children and young people living together under one roof with the support of carers providing a safe, nurturing environment and replicating a family home.

When children and young people cannot live with their family, the council ensures their safety and well-being. Brent decides their living arrangements based on their best interests, which could be with relatives, friends, or a foster family. For some, a residential children’s home is the best option.

Why we are opening a children’s home

Brent does not have its own children’s residential home but does have a Short Break Centre for children and young people with complex needs.

We need to ensure residential placements for children and young people meet criteria like proximity to home and continuity of education. The new children’s residential home will reduce the number of children living outside the borough. This will help them reintegrate into their community and stay close to family and friends.

Current progress

Current progress includes the granting of a Certificate of Lawfulness on 10 June 2024, allowing the change of use from a dwellinghouse (Use Class C3a) to a children's residential care home (Use Class C3b).

A planning application for improvement works was submitted on 29 May 2024 and approved on 9 August 2024. The improvements include roof replacement, a new front door, awnings, canopies, cycle storage, landscaping, boundary treatment, and an electric vehicle charging point.

Construction works will begin in October 2024, with local residents informed in advance about specific dates and details.

For more information on the planning process, visit the Brent Council Planning page.

More about the children’s home

This development aligns with Brent’s Borough Plan outcomes: Prosperity and Stability in Brent, and The Best Start in Life. Keeping more children in the borough provides greater opportunities to participate in and contribute to the community, and they will receive local services to help them succeed in adulthood.

Residential area

The new home will be in a residential area. A residential area was chosen because smaller children’s homes offer a more homely feel and are easier to manage, allowing staff to provide better support. A suitable property has been identified in the borough that meets the requirements for a children’s residential home.

Running the home

The home will be managed by Brent Council and registered with Ofsted, which will regularly inspect it to ensure compliance with regulations. An Ofsted-registered manager will oversee the home and staff, with the council ensuring that staff receive relevant training to provide skilled and compassionate support to the children and young people in their care.

Residents of the home

The home will accommodate up to four adolescents aged 12-17. Their identities will remain confidential for safeguarding reasons. The residents will have varied needs; some may need short-term stays, while others may require more time, care, and support due to difficult experiences. They will receive the necessary support to thrive in a safe environment, with at least two staff members present at all times.

The children and young people will continue attending their current school if they have a place, or we will assist in enrolling them in a local school. Some may also participate in community programs, such as college or apprenticeships. We also ensure that their ethnic, religious, cultural, and identity needs are met, helping them maintain their personal heritage and community connections.

Safeguarding

The home has a security system and trained staff always present to safeguard the children and young people. Those over ten years old can leave for school, visit friends, or play in the park etc. The staff in charge of the home will consider safety, time of day, ability to act responsibly and ability to travel independently, including road safety.

Impact on the neighbourhood

We aim to be good neighbours with minimal impact. If noise issues arise, residents can speak to the home’s Registered Manager. If unresolved, they can contact senior managers or follow Brent Council’s complaint procedure.

Other children and young people won’t congregate around the new home as it will resemble a private family home, with visitors mainly being professionals and family members.

Contact us

If you have any complaints, concerns or queries about the home, we have a dedicated project team working on the development of the Brent residential children’s home. You can contact them at any time by emailing BCRH@Brent.gov.uk or call 020 8937 1234.

Local residents to the residential home are being kept informed of updates through agreed communication channels.

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