Development of a Specialist Therapeutic Children's Home for Children with Complex Mental Health, Disability and High-Risk Needs

Market Engagement for the development of a specialist therapeutic Children's Home for children with complex mental health, disability and high-risk needs in County Durham. The Council is exploring a service model that may:

• Operate as an Ofsted-registered children's home.

• Provide up to three highly individualised placements.

• Support solo living arrangements when required.

• Deliver enhanced staffing arrangements where assessed as needed.

• Operate using trauma-informed & psychologically informed approaches.

• Incorporate Positive Behaviour Support principles.

• Support restriction reduction and progression planning.

• Maintain strong links with education, health and community services.

• Promote placement stability and reduce placement breakdown.

• Support children to remain closer to home wherever possible.

• Reduce reliance on unregistered, emergency and out-of-area provision.

• Support planned transitions to less restrictive environments when safe and appropriate. The Council is interested in understanding whether providers would favour:

• A fully provider-operated model.

• A partnership model involving local authority and health partners.

• A clinically led model.

• A hybrid therapeutic residential model.

• Alternative innovative delivery approaches.