South Tyneside Council is marking a major milestone in its long‑term commitment to improving outcomes for looked‑after children, following the completion of three new purpose‑built children’s homes across the Borough.
The new homes, located in South Shields, Hebburn and Jarrow, have been carefully designed to offer safe, nurturing and high‑quality environments for children in care, as well as supported accommodation for older young people preparing for independence. Together, they form a central pillar of the Council’s strategy to ensure children can remain closer to home, connected to their communities, friends, schools and family networks wherever possible.
Councils across England continue to face significant challenges in securing appropriate placements, with many relying heavily on costly out‑of‑borough or private placements that can disrupt education, relationships and emotional wellbeing.
By investing in its own residential homes, South Tyneside Council is taking proactive, local action to address this national issue. The new facilities will:
- Keep children within their own Borough
- Provide continuity with local services and support networks
- Reduce reliance on expensive private providers
- Strengthen the Council’s direct oversight of care quality
The £7.161 million investment will accommodate up to ten children and young people across the three homes. Each home has been built on a small‑scale, family‑style model, reflecting best practice in residential care, with a consistent staff team offering relationship‑based support. These homes build on four existing Council‑run homes that currently support 11 children.
With construction now complete, the Council is preparing to welcome the first children into their new homes. A major recruitment drive has taken place to appoint skilled, compassionate staff, and final checks are underway to achieve Ofsted registration.
In parallel, the Council continues to highlight the vital role of foster carers, encouraging more residents to consider fostering. Many children thrive best in family settings, and the Council provides training, financial support and professional guidance to those who open their homes to children in need.
The opening of the new homes is also a significant landmark in South Tyneside’s wider improvement journey in children’s social care.
Following an inadequate Ofsted judgement in May 2023, the Council worked intensively with the South Tyneside Improvement Board, bringing in external expertise to drive cultural and systemic change. Since then, the Council has strengthened leadership, improved practice and rebuilt confidence across Children’s Services.
Completion of the new residential homes provides tangible evidence of progress, demonstrating a strong commitment to learning from past shortcomings and investing in a more stable, child‑centred future.
These developments sit at the heart of South Tyneside’s long‑term strategy to:
- Provide more care within the Borough
- Ensure children grow up in stable, supportive placements
- Reinforce community ties and belonging
- Reinvest resources into frontline children’s support
South Tyneside Council’s Cllr Liz McHugh commented:
“The development of these beautiful new children’s homes is a hugely important moment for South Tyneside. At the heart of this investment is a simple but powerful principle that children should be supported to grow up close to home, surrounded by people and places that know them and care about them.
“By developing high‑quality homes in South Shields, Hebburn and Jarrow, we are ensuring children can remain part of their local communities while receiving the best possible home and parenting experience we can offer in a caring, safe and secure environment. Staff will always be on hand to offer support and guidance, as any parent would their child.
“These new homes also represent how far we have come as a Council. Following the challenges identified by Ofsted, we were determined to learn, improve and do better for our children. With the support of the South Tyneside Improvement Board, we have made real progress, and this development is part of a much wider programme of improvement.
“Nationally, councils are grappling with rising placement costs and a shortage of suitable provision. By investing in our own homes and workforce, we are taking responsibility for our children and ensuring public money is spent where it makes the greatest difference – on care, stability and positive futures for our children.
“It also marks a continued commitment to improvement, accountability and ambition while demonstrating how councils can respond constructively to a shared national challenge.”
With new homes, new staff, and strengthened services, the Council says its focus remains clear: ensuring that every child in its care receives the safety, stability and support they deserve.
Image credit: iStock
