2. Children or families with deep-rooted, complex or chronic needs with a long history of disability, difficulty or disruption, including abuse or neglect.

These children require more than simply care from a substitute family.

Why are they a child in care?
There may be longer times when these children need stabilising, from weeks and months to years. They may have been a child in care before.

What do they need?
They need individualised care in a safe and containing environment, provided by grown-ups who are consistently thoughtful about each child's care. There will be clear boundaries and limits with some negotiated flexibility.

How will they behave?
Their behaviour may be unsafe, self-harming or unpredictable and need to be managed in order to stabilise their lives.

Where will they be placed?
They will be placed in Long-term mainstream children's homes, children's homes for children with disabilities or residential special schools.

Case Study:

Crosskeys, operated by the Together Trust, is a two-bedded home in the Stockport area for young people aged between 11 and 15.

"When Stephen came to us two years ago he was described as, 'disruptive, abusive and violent with a lack of awareness of acceptable behaviour or social skills'. He had poor diet and eating habits. The positives were that he was polite, good-humoured and had stated that all he wanted was to be 'a normal boy'.

"Stephen was 12 at the time and had come from a chaotic background with little or no routine or boundaries. He had health issues that had not been addressed by his mother, who struggled to cope with his behaviour and found it difficult to provide a consistent and structured environment for him and his siblings. He preferred spending time truanting and helping out on building sites than attending school. Although a gradual process, through encouragement and consistency, Stephen now attends school full-time, enabling him to develop both socially and academically.

"The unfortunate death of his mother brought about feelings of guilt and lack of belonging. We ensured community ties were maintained by initiating contact with his friends and extended family and through direct work we are attempting to help him understand feelings stirred by the loss of his mum.

"Realistic goals are in place regarding his diet to help raise his self-esteem and we've sought advice from attachment therapists to address the possessiveness Stephen felt towards his key worker after his mum died. Stephen's progression is a testament to the support and guidance that the staff team have provided. He appears to have adjusted and responded positively and his key worker was very proud to accompany him to receive an education achievement award from his Local Authority in January.

"Stephen is well on his way to fulfilling his ambitions in becoming that 'normal boy'." (Source: Together Trust)