Children's Homes Capital Programme

Infrastructure and Construction

Record date: 31 March 2026

Whole-life cost: £610.1m
Published schedule: 16/03/2023 – Low: 31/03/2030, Mid: 31/03/2031, High: 31/03/2031
NISTA delivery confidence: Not disclosed
Senior responsible owner: May El Komy

What the project is for

The department is investing grant funding to support local authorities and other providers to improve and expand the regional provision of secure children's homes and open children's homes as part of its commitment to deliver stable loving homes for vulnerable children in care.

Departmental delivery commentary

Programme delivery confidence for 2025/26 is Amber. The programme has continued to make progress, but delivery confidence is impacted by the risk faced on a small number of complex, large‑scale capital projects in a sector where comparable facilities have not been delivered for many years. This risk is ongoing rather than new and reflects the technical and commercial challenge of delivering these schemes, with potential pressure on cost and timetable, rather than a lack of momentum. Targeted progress has been made on the highest‑risk projects. This includes securing planning approval and buy-in across relevant local authorities for the new West Midlands safe centre, the London Secure Children’s Home scheme proceeding towards planning submission and construction tender, as well as £53 million of grants being awarded for new Open Children’s Homes to support vulnerable children with complex needs. Construction of the Lincolnshire Secure Children’s Home remains on target for completion in autumn 2026 and occupation from May 2027. Looking ahead, delivery confidence will depend on these major projects moving through procurement and into construction without material delay or cost escalation. The priority is close oversight of the most complex schemes, refreshed forecasts with local partners, and active grant management to intervene early where risks emerge. Sustained grip on these projects will be critical to reducing risk and supporting a move towards Green in future reporting.

Schedule

No schedule narrative has been provided as this programme will not remain in GMPP.

Cost

This programme joined GMPP in 25/26 and will not remain in GMPP going forward. The Whole Life Costs are calculated through combining the approved capital budgets of the projects that make up this programme. As a capital programme, project budgets are reviewed and controlled at key gateways.

Benefits

This programme does not report monetised benefits, as per the approved business case.