Cumberland Council is moving forward with a major investment in new, council‑run children’s homes to ensure that children and young people in care grow up closer to the people, places and communities they know best.
In November 2025, the Council’s Executive approved the use of up to £2.649 million of capital investment funding to create three additional in‑house homes and one larger, replacement home across Cumberland. This investment means more children will be able to live safely within their own local communities, reducing the need for costly out‑of‑county homes and helping children stay close to their families, schools, friends and support networks.
Like many councils, Cumberland has seen a significant increase in the number of children and young people who need residential care as a result of a shortage of foster carers. At the same time, the rising costs of places in privately run children’s homes have made dependency on the external market increasingly unsustainable.
By expanding in‑house provision, the council can ensure more children are able to stay in Cumberland, reducing the need for external and out-of-county homes. This will represent better value for money and greater stability for the children who are cared for. It will also provide new employment opportunities in the areas the homes will be based.
The first of the new homes is expected to be open by Autumn 2026, with all of them operational by Spring 2028. Each home will be small scale, providing safe, nurturing and long-term supportive care for between two and seven children and young people. They will be located within communities chosen for proximity to schools, transport links, health and other services, allowing children and young people to stay connected and flourish within welcoming neighbourhoods.
Councillor Emma Williamson, Deputy Leader and Children's Services, Family Wellbeing and Housing Portfolio Holder at Cumberland Council said:
“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand for residential care, and it’s vital that we have a sustainable, long‑term solution that puts children’s needs first while also ensuring value for money. By investing in our own residential properties, we are investing directly in our children and young people, in local employment opportunities and in financial sustainability.
“We currently have 60 children in external residential homes – with only 16% in Cumberland. Relying on privately-run homes is not only too expensive, but is not in the best interests of the young people we care for.
“Cumberland’s children should be cared for in Cumberland. These are our children, and they thrive when they are cared for close to home – near their families, friends, schools and everything that gives them stability and a sense of belonging.
“This investment represents a win for both the young people we care for and for Cumberland taxpayers.”
Joe Banham, Assistant Director for Children and Families, said:
“Every child deserves a safe, loving home. While our preference would always be to keep children in their own homes, where this is not an option we would look to place them within their wider families or networks, or with foster carers. However, like many councils across the country, we have a shortage of foster carers. Given this challenge, high‑quality residential care is the next best option. By investing in our own homes, we can create a small family home for our children and ensure the care they receive is consistent, local and grounded in our quality standards and values as a council.
“This investment is not a replacement for foster care – we will always need more loving foster homes. I’d encourage anyone who is interested in fostering and helping to change a child’s life for the better to find out more at cumbriafostering.org.uk"