New Roads service prevents 395 children from going into long-term care

More young people in Norfolk are being supported to stay at home with their families or return home, thanks to the specialist support being provided by Norfolk County Council. 

The council's New Roads programme, which provides wrap around support for children at risk of coming into care, or those already in care, has prevented 395 children coming into long-term care since it was launched four years ago. This has avoided costs of £35m and substantially improved outcomes for young people who have often faced significant challenges. 

The success is one of several outlined in the annual review of children's residential care, which is being discussed by the council's Cabinet on 4 November. 

Initially funded by the DfE and implemented in partnership with North Yorkshire Council, New Roads is based out of two hubs that provide support from life coaches, communications support workers, teaching assistants and the police. 

The council is now extending the approach to work with children with disabilities and their families. 

It is launching a new outreach team for children with disabilities on November 1, which will work with the council's residential home for children with disabilities, as an additional New Roads style hub. 

Cllr Penny Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Children's Services at Norfolk County Council, said: "The young people supported by our residential care teams are often our most traumatised children and it can be hard to find the right places and support to meet their needs. 

"That's why we have been expanding our in-house services and support, so that these  children and young people have the very best chance to flourish in their home county, within a family - rather than in residential placements elsewhere. 

"The teams working with them are highly skilled and totally dedicated and I want to thank them for the brilliant work they do for our young people." 

The report to Cabinet reveals that 84% of the council's residential services have a "good" judgement from Ofsted and none are "inadequate". 

The contents will be considered by Norfolk County Council's Cabinet on Monday 4 November. You can watch the meeting, live or afterwards, and read the reports online.