‘Stable Homes, Built on Love’: What the Government’s New Long-Term Children’s Social Care Plan Means for Independent Children’s Homes
On 2 February 2023, the Department for Education released Stable Homes, Built on Love, its long-awaited response to three major independent reviews of children’s social care in England. Drawing on Connell Consulting’s extensive sector research and insights, this article evaluates how the new strategy is likely to affect independent children’s homes.
Our analysis suggests that, while the strategy signals a desire for reform, it remains narrow in ambition and lacks the level of investment required to deliver a transformative overhaul of the system. Crucially, the proposals fall short of addressing the underlying drivers behind rising demand for children’s home placements. As a result, we anticipate ongoing opportunities for growth and development within the independent children’s home market in England.