Children’s residential care homes in London and Kent
Erith, Abbey Wood and Lewisham — three children’s residential care homes for young people aged 8 to 17.
At Bright Futures, our children’s residential care homes give every child a safe and nurturing place to belong. Comfort, security, and a true sense of belonging come first here, the foundation our children’s care homes are built on.
As a result, children grow in confidence and build essential life skills. Furthermore, we encourage independence and celebrate every achievement. Therefore, each child can flourish and look forward to a brighter future.
Erith House
A welcoming, Ofsted-registered home in Erith, Bexley, with modern facilities and private bedrooms, focused on independence, confidence and emotional wellbeing.
Abbey Wood House
A specialist home in Abbey Wood, London, offering nurturing, structured care close to local amenities and transport links.
Lewisham House
Our upcoming home in Lewisham, London, being carefully developed as a warm, homely, therapeutic environment for looked-after children.
Children’s residential care homes answer to Ofsted
Every children’s home in England is registered and inspected by Ofsted, because the Care Standards Act 2000 requires it. Our two registered homes are Erith House, rated Good, and Abbey Wood House, with its rating pending. What follows is what the framework asks of every home on the register, not a summary of our own inspections.
Check any home on the Ofsted register opens reports.ofsted.gov.ukWhat the framework asks of registered children’s residential care homes
This is the law all children’s homes in England work to, so it is not a description of our own inspection outcomes — those are in the paragraph above, and home by home on our homes page.
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Reg
6–14
Quality standards
Nine of them, covering the child’s wellbeing and education as well as protection and leadership.
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Reg
16
Statement of purpose
Fixes the range of needs the home is intended for, so a home may admit a child only within that range.
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Reg
44
Monthly visit
An independent person visits the home at least once a month and reports on it.
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Reg
45
Six-monthly review
The registered person reviews the quality of care at least every six months.
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CSA
2000
Care Standards Act
Registration with Ofsted, because running an unregistered children’s home is a criminal offence.
Sources: Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015; Care Standards Act 2000; Care Planning, Placement and Case Review (England) Regulations 2010. The full referral pathway is set out on our referral page, rather than here.
Give your time to our children’s residential care homes
Volunteers work alongside our staff team, directly with the young people living in our homes. You are trained before you start, and supported for as long as you stay.
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Time with young people
Volunteers work directly with the young people living in our homes, alongside the team who look after them each day.
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Trained and supported
Training before you start, and support from the home’s staff for as long as you volunteer.
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Bexley and Greenwich
Though our Homes prefer placements from all over South East London, we take placements from all over the Greater London Area.