Working at a Children's Home

Children’s homes are designed to offer help and support to children who have suffered traumas or emotional problems and/or are left without a family to care for them due to bereavement or because of instances of neglect.

Many of the children in the care of children’s home today are there on what is now as respite care.

Children’s homes are split into two categories:

• Respite Care
• Residential Care

Respite Care

Respite care is help and support given to the parents of children who may have behavioural difficulties or physical disabilities that makes looking after them in the family home difficult. In these instances the respire children’s homes will take the children for a period of time to allow the parents time to rest and also to help them learn about to best look after their child when they return home.

This is often very useful if a child has suffered physical or mental disability because of an accident or illness after birth whereas previously they were in perfect health. Under these circumstances the looking after of a child with a disability can be emotionally and physically very demanding on the parents so any respite care can be a welcome relief.

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Residential Care

As the name suggests this type of care is administered when a child and/or children have been placed into the long term care of a children’s residential establishment. This can be because of problems at home or at school or the result of emotional difficulties or behavioural problems that the parents feel they are unable to deal with. Likewise local authorities in conjunction with social services can make recommendations that children be placed in residential care for the sake of themselves and those round them but it has to be said that this is a last resort in most cases.

Again these admissions to residential children’s homes can be made on a short or long term basis and can also be instigated in emergency situations if necessary.

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Principles of Children's Homes

In both of these types of children’s home it is important to remember that the welfare of the child is paramount as is his or her education. Their education will continue as it did when they lived away from the home and where necessary – and where possible – therapy and counselling will be given to those children whom staff consider would benefit from it.

Every effort is made to ensure that life within these children’s home runs as smoothly and as normally as possible and as such the children are encouraged to interact with each other and engage in social activities that might allow for a flourishing of character and personality – something that may have been stilted away from the home.

Regular mentoring sessions are held and it is important that all parties are kept up to date on the welfare and progress of the children.

Working in a Children's Home

If you would like to work in children’s care homes or volunteer your services you can contact the home you are interested in directly.

Again a qualification in childcare is advantageous as is the ability to communicate and relate to children who will have learning or behavioural problems.

For more information you can contact your local Social Services and/or Local Education Authority (LEA) and they will be able to set you on the right path.

It is also worth noting that again working with children makes it necessary for you to have an up to date DBS disclosure.

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Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Childcare Career Finder lets you tell us what draws you to working with children and we will match you with the UK careers or volunteering roles that fit you best. Try it now →