The effectiveness of care provided to children in children’s homes will be investigated in a new study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), and carried out by Kingston University in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) and Ofsted.
Children in children’s homes currently have outcomes that underperform those of other children in care and can be at greater risk of going missing, being involved in the youth justice system and experiencing mental health difficulties.
At the same time, we know that since 2010-11, expenditure on children’s residential care has risen by more than £1bn, equivalent to an 89% increase (as highlighted by the Children’s Charities Coalition report into social care spending).
Much of this has been a result of an increase in the number of children placed in residential care, which has more than doubled since 2011. Worryingly, this trend seems to be, at least in part, the result of a shortage of suitable alternative placements rather than this type of care being assessed as the best option for the child.
This research project aims to establish a better understanding of the experiences of children in children’s homes and to feed into an evidence base for a needs-led approach to commissioning and provision. With an increased focus from government on profiteering in the children in care market, this research will be crucial in informing how government can intervene positively with children’s best interests at heart.
The study will examine anonymised data from over 25,000 children who had a placement in a children’s home between 2014 and 2023, with Kingston University working with the children’s social care data insights team at Ofsted.
Gathering insights from those with lived and professional experience will also be a key part of the research. To deliver this, NCB will be leading a series of focus groups and interviews with young people with direct experience of children’s homes as well as with parents, care staff and decision-makers in the sector. Experts by experience will also be involved in the design and dissemination of the research throughout the project.
The study will shed light on:
- how local authorities make decisions in relation to commissioning children’s placements;
- how outcomes for children relate to the type of provision they receive; and
- why some placements in children's homes work better than others.
Initial findings from the study are expected in March 2026, with a final report scheduled for August 2026.
It is hoped that this research will deepen and broaden knowledge about what works well for children in children’s homes, examining the factors affecting placement stability, placement change and different exit routes from care.
The research will use a range of measures to identify the outcomes for young people in children’s homes at ages 16 and 18. It is hoped, therefore, that the voice of care-experienced children and young people will help to shape policy and practice in this area.
Nearly one in ten children in care lives in a children's home and they need the best possible care to help them to thrive. This research will help us to better understand which children's homes are able to provide stability of care for which children, and how this matters for children's education and welfare. We plan to use evidence from the study to support reform and improve services in the sector.
Professor Rick Hood
Kingston University
We are very excited to be contributing to this important study, which continues our ongoing partnership with Kingston University examining and addressing key issues facing children in care in the UK today. Our hope is that this research will provide a clear evidence base that supports effective policy and practice to ensure all children receive effective and well-funded services that respond to their individual needs. It is crucial that children in or leaving care are supported to improve their wellbeing with the necessary stability to manage the transition to independence.
Phil Anderson
Strategic Director for External Affairs, National Children’s Bureau
We are pleased to be working with Kingston University and the NCB on this important area of research. In our work inspecting local authorities and regulating and inspecting children’s homes, we do witness some good decision-making, despite the challenges in finding the right homes for children.
We have seen residential workers build great relationships with children, but this is not universally the case. And there are too many children, particularly those with multiple needs, who are not being served well by the system. This research will bring greater insight and understanding of what works and what needs to change to improve the system for all children.
Yvette Stanley
National Director, Regulation and Social Care, Ofsted