Amid growing concerns over the state of children’s residential care in England, government officials are examining the Danish model of children’s homes in search of solutions. Last year, England recorded 669 children living in illegal, unregistered children’s homes, with councils spending more than £125 million on these placements. Meanwhile, overall expenditure on children’s homes in England has nearly doubled over five years, reaching over £3.1 billion in 2023-24, even as standards have reportedly declined.
Children’s Minister Josh MacAlister described the situation as a “shadow system” marked by unregistered facilities that lack proper therapeutic support and come with significant costs. He emphasized the need for substantial reform and has devoted considerable time to advancing changes in children’s social care.
MacAlister recently visited Denmark to study their approach firsthand as part of a review led by the Department for Education aimed at improving England’s children’s home sector. Danish children’s homes, such as the 140-year-old Josephine Schneider’s House on the outskirts of Copenhagen, are widely regarded as exemplars of high-quality residential care.
Josephine Schneider’s House accommodates 12 children and young adults aged six to 23. The home is staffed by degree-qualified professionals trained in social pedagogy—a discipline that combines psychology, child development, and ethics—with an emphasis on creating a family-like environment. Meals are prepared by an on-site chef, who engages children in cooking and shopping activities. The staff’s therapeutic approach is integrated into daily routines rather than delivered through designated therapy sessions.
Children at the home, many of whom have experienced neglect or trauma, are supported through personalized care, including having designated staff teams focusing on their education and wellbeing. Unlike many English children’s homes, the Danish model encourages ongoing social connections, allowing children to have friends visit on weekends and holding regular family meetings, including a Christmas banquet.
Older residents live in semi-independent flats within the home where they assume increasing responsibility for chores and meal preparation, preparing them for adult life. Young people may remain in residence up to age 23 and are encouraged to maintain ties thereafter. This contrasts with England, where care leavers must leave children’s homes upon turning 18—a policy often criticized for abruptly cutting off support and contributing to negative outcomes.
MacAlister expressed interest in removing the strict age limit for residency, noting that some young people in England are forced to move at critical times, such as during exams. He also highlighted the Danish focus on personal growth and maintaining family relationships as valuable cultural elements to adopt.
A key theme in the review is the quality and status of staff. Emmanuel Akpan-Inwang, director of Lighthouse Pedagogy Trust—which operates a children’s home in Sutton inspired by pedagogical principles—pointed out the appeal of children’s home work as a career in Denmark. He contrasted this with the situation in England, where residential care often centers on adult staff managing their own anxieties about risk, rather than prioritizing the needs and development of young residents.
The Department for Education’s investigation into the Danish care model comes amid calls for a fundamental rethink of England’s children’s home system to improve outcomes for vulnerable children and young people.