Introduction
Homes and Horizons is a unique and innovative 10-year partnership between Somerset Council, care providers Homes2inspire (part of the Shaw Trust) and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to co-design a brand new model of care for our most vulnerable looked after children.
We are working together to deliver an innovative blended set of services for 30+ children and young people with:
- 10 residential homes for children across Somerset for approximately 20 children,
- higher needs foster care provision for approximately 20 children,
- a brand-new therapeutic education service on two sites for approximately 30 young people.
This combination means that children and young people who require more in-depth help will have wraparound personalised support, a safe and welcoming home, and tailored education with expert staff experienced in mental health, therapy, and social work.
The voice of children and young people with care experience has been central in Homes and Horizons project: from the initial planning stages, right through to delivery, the stories and issues raised by Somerset children have informed every part of the process.
Our progress
The first four homes have opened and now supporting six children, one more home is going to be open in August 2023. School sites have been identified and funding for capital work is in place. The first school will open in January 2024.
In June 2023 our partnership project won a prestigious Municipal Journal (MJ) Award:
Somerset Council wins national award for groundbreaking children’s home partnership
Your involvement
They say it takes a village to raise a child, and we agree. And we believe that by working together, we can do more than just raise a child – we can change their story.
We are looking for caring and compassionate people to join us in a number of roles across Somerset, supporting local children and young people who are in care.
If you would like to know more about a high needs foster carer role, please click the link below to find out more:
High needs fostering (fosteringinsomerset.org.uk)
For more information about Homes and Horizons open vacancies, please email: careers@homes2inspire.co.uk.