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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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.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
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.
I am extremely interested in working in a children’s home and helping children that I once was. I had a difficult upbringing and grew up in and out of care towards the end of me teens my key workers in the home made me who I am today and I would love to give back. As a teen I had dealing with the police and 10 years on I can say I am no longer that troubled teen. I am aware they do a DBS would this still be a possible career path for me with the offences I created when I was a child ?
Thank you
I graduated in 2016 with a BA Hons in working with children. My third child arrived shortly afterwards so have been unemployed since.
I've always wanted to work in a children's home...which route would be the best to get my foot in the door?..
I want to work in a children's home making and difference and helping young children
Can someone please help
is there " a working with kids " charity based in London... and if so .. whereabouts near isleworth please list ...?
i would really love to work in a childrens home ( i honestly enjoy it .... i enjoy it so much that i want to go into pedriactics when im older....)
Please give me some details ...
thank your for all your help
AM
I appreciate it.
Thank You.
Kind Regards
Lisa Boyle.
I am 15 years old and I am looking to voulenteer in a children's home as long as it doesn't mean I have to travel a lot because that would be difficult.
Also I have a disability myself, I have an amputated limb due to meningitis when I was 2. I would very much like to work with children and help them through their tough situations.
I would like to know if I'm able to do that.
Thank you
Thank you for taking time to read this ~Aisling
Most homes require you to have a level 3 in children and young people's workforce or equivalent but also require you to do online training on a regular basis.
To apply for this position simply contact individual care companies and enquire if they have any vacancies.
Hope this information is of use.
Many thanks ??
I am a 27 year old male currently coming to the end of a years volunteering in Mexico in what I would describe as the equivalent to a care home with children who had previously being living on the streets. I wanted to gain experience in this field as working with disadvantaged children is the career path I would like to go down. I have no qualifications relevant to working with children, purely this years experience and I spent 2013 volunteering for Radio Lollipop at Bristol Children's Hospital. I am extremely passionate about getting into this line of work and would really appreciate some advice and what I should do when I return to England in the next couple of weeks!
Many thanks
Tom
Thankyou so much!
would this be possibe
What qualifications would I do need!!?
Thanks!
What would my next step be and what actions would i take?
Any advice would be very helpful and appreciated thanx
I look forward to hearing from you.
I am looking to work in a residential children's home and have sent letters and emails to several homes in the Hertfordshire area, I was wondering weather you could give any information on what else I could do to get work in this field.
Thank you.
I like childrens, iwant to do something to be a part of helpin about anything i can. It would be a pleasure to me
Thank you!!
Im 28 years of age and am very keen on doing volunteer work a few days a week, either in a childrens home or at a school with children that have special needs!
Im a mum to a 3 year old, but have no qualifications as yet!
How can i go about contacting the right people?
Thanks for your help!
Thank you.
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