Children’s homes

Devon County Council has children’s homes providing short breaks including day care and overnight stays for children and young people with complex healthcare needs, learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and additional needs.

Homes are based in Honiton, Exeter, Tiverton and Barnstaple and are registered with Ofsted.

Children’s homes are maintained as part of a range of provisions that enable Devon County Council to support families with children and young people who have complex health, physical or behavioural needs and who may have other additional needs.

We invite you and your child to visit one of our homes before they have their first stay.

How can we help?

Our services include:

• longer stays and shared care
• short breaks – day care and overnight stays
• assessment – short period of stay to assess certain areas of care, for example epilepsy, behaviour, sleep patterns, diet, continence and medication
• treatment – working with other professionals to provide treatment plans
• support for families

We use a range of communication methods to suit your child’s individual needs and ability. Our aim is to provide a relaxed home from home atmosphere for you and your child, and to provide a positive service and enjoyable experience.

Homes have their own vehicles and access the wider community for a range of enriching activities. Children’s needs are at the centre of our practise and we listen and respond to the children’s voice when planning their care. Achieving positive outcomes for children are paramount in our work.

Our homes

Complex healthcare

• Meadowpark Children’s home

A three bedded home equipped to meet the needs of children and young people with significant medical needs and/or physical disability.

Learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and additional needs

• Barnes and Hillcrest Children’s Homes

Both are three bedded homes equipped to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs including challenging behaviour.

Complex healthcare and learning disabilities, autistic spectrum conditions and additional needs

• Welland House Children’s Home

A five bedded home equipped to meet the needs of children and young people with additional needs including challenging behaviour and/or complex medical and physical needs.

What happens next?

To access these services, please speak to your lead professional.

Information documents

• Barnes Children’s Home – statement of purpose
• Hillcrest Children’s Home – statement of purpose
• Meadowpark Children’s Home – statement of purpose
• Welland House Children’s Home – statement of purpose
• Devon Children’s Homes – family handbook
• Children’s handbook (please contact the homes for this information)

What is the process?

We will receive a referral on your behalf from your child’s social worker and we will make contact with you from there to arrange a visit to the home to discuss what support we could provide.

Emergency placements

We offer emergency placements to support the needs of families following a process of careful assessment and planning, taking into account the needs of children already staying in the home.

For referrers (documents to be added)

For children and young adults (documents to be added)

Contact

Devon County Council
Capital Court
Bittern Rd
Sowton
Exeter
EX2 7FW