Safe Places for Children’s Journey So Far

Safe Places for Children UK was formed on the 28th April 2016 after a successful “shark tank pitch” (UK Version of Dragon’s Den) that was in regards to bringing Safe Places Australia Integrated Practice Framework (IPF) to the United Kingdom. Safe Places as an organisation want to continue to grow our global services to help in providing a homely, secure and nurturing environment to young people within the residential sector.

Senior Managers that were born in the United Kingdom, but were working in Australia participated and successfully got approval from the Australian board to set up Safe Places for Children UK, this allowed for the opportunity to create a new therapeutic residential model for young people across both England and Northern Ireland,. These managers were able to transfer their skills and knowledge of the Integrated Practice Framework (IPF) model and practices as they returned to England and Northern Ireland, to start the process of “starting up” the therapeutic model of care. As the organisation developed and grew their network within the United Kingdom, This allowed for relationships to be developed between Local Authorities and Health & Social Care Boards and Regulators.

Safe Places for Children UK where successful in obtaining registration with RQIA (Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority) in Northern Ireland and this resulted in our 1st Children Home opening in May 2019, the first young person was placed into the new home in July 2019. Safe Places for Children UK have since been able to provide medium to long term stable placements and continue to seek new adventures & opportunities within Northern Ireland.

Safe Places for Children UK opened their second registered 2 bedded Children Home in May 2023 within Northern Ireland, this service to date has provided medium to long term stable placement for two young people that align with the homes statement of purpose and the organisations Integrated Practice Framework. Within NI the organisation has currently submitted an application for opening their third registered 2 bedded Children Home,

Within England, Safe Places for Children UK has opened a new 2 bedded Children Home within the Cheshire East Area, this area was identified due to the previous tendered Children Homes that were being delivered for the Local Authority as there are established links with service providers that will continue to help with providing care to the young people within this service. In September 2024 Safe Places for Children obtained registration for their new service with OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills), this home has been created to also provide medium to long term placement stability.

Overall Safe Places for Children UK, want to continue to increase services and opportunities that can further support more young people across the United Kingdom in the coming years ahead. Safe Places for Children UK continue to review, learn and evolve our model of practice as we establish more and more opportunities to provide high quality of care homes to young people across the United Kingdom. If any Local Authority or a Health and Social Care Board would like to have any more information about our services please get in touch within our contact us section of the website.