Jun 30, 2026 · 18 min · 7 segments
The consensus in children's services is that foster care is preferable because it offers a family setting. But whose definition of family are we using? This episode challenges one of the most quiet…
Chelsea BaileyHost
Carmel SaulbreyHost
I don't think everyone agrees with this but we're going to discuss the idea that residential care homes for children are actually family units.
And there is a bit of stigma around residential children's homes and that actually not being the case, that they're not a primary setting and that it's kind of one of the last options that local authority would choose for a child.
And we were actually at a conference recently, and I know some people really did believe that they were a family setting.
And actually, once I was in the Heinz, I said something to one of the children about this is a family.
But also your angle is that, well, what is a family? We solved the idea that mummy, daddy had 2.4 children.
And I think the conference that we were at recently is what motivated me to want to have this conversation.
And I said to you on the train on the way home and I said I was really kicking myself for not saying anything when that conversation was taking place.
It was just, yeah, okay, well, as we all know, residential settings for children and residential homes for children aren't family settings.
I don't think everyone agrees with this but we're going to discuss the idea that residential care homes for children are actually family units.
And there is a bit of stigma around residential children's homes and that actually not being the case, that they're not a primary setting and that it's kind of one of the last options that local authority would choose for a child.
And we were actually at a conference recently, and I know some people really did believe that they were a family setting.
And actually, once I was in the Heinz, I said something to one of the children about this is a family.
But also your angle is that, well, what is a family? We solved the idea that mummy, daddy had 2.4 children.
And I think the conference that we were at recently is what motivated me to want to have this conversation.
And I said to you on the train on the way home and I said I was really kicking myself for not saying anything when that conversation was taking place.
It was just, yeah, okay, well, as we all know, residential settings for children and residential homes for children aren't family settings.
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