Open a Home
Open a children's home
From the first idea through to opening your doors. The Hub brings the full opening journey together, sector context, feasibility, property, planning, registration and preparation, so you can see what needs to happen, and when.
The journey
The opening journey, in stages
From understanding the sector to opening your doors. These stages are navigation to help you see the path ahead. Each stage links to verified guidance where available.
- 1
Understand the sector
Research the children's residential care landscape and where your home would fit.
- 2
Research local demand
Explore commissioning needs, council sufficiency strategies and local demand before choosing a property.
- 3
Contact local authorities
Find the relevant commissioning teams and ask about local placement needs.
- 4
Develop your model
Define the children you will support and how you will care for them.
- 5
Test feasibility
Assess start-up costs, operating costs and financial viability.
- 6
Find the property
Identify a suitable property and assess location risk under Regulation 46.
- 7
Planning and premises
Understand planning permission, premises standards and safety.
- 8
Build the team
Establish your provider structure and appoint key roles.
- 9
Prepare documents
Write your Statement of Purpose, Children's Guide and policies.
- 10
Apply to Ofsted
Complete the Ofsted registration process and prepare for inspection.
- 11
Prepare to open
Final preparations before opening your doors to children.
Complete Guide
How to Open a Children's Home in England
The full opening journey, from idea through to Ofsted registration.
More guides
Guide
Research Local Demand
Research commissioning priorities and contact local authorities before opening.
Guide
Developing Your Model of Care
Define the children you support and how you will care for them.
Guide
Costs and Financial Feasibility
Start-up costs, operating costs, cashflow and viability.
Guide
Choosing the Right Property
Practical considerations for identifying a suitable property.
Explore by topic
Everything you need, by topic
Browse the key topic areas for opening a children's home, grouped by where they fit in the journey.
Understanding
Planning
Registering
Pathways
Need help with a specific area?
Looking for property and planning specialists?
Browse services relevant to premises, planning and building compliance.
Need help with property?
Choosing, assessing and preparing your premises.
Need help with registration?
Understanding the Ofsted application process.
Need help with costs?
Start-up costs, operating costs and financial viability.
Need one-to-one consultant support?
Tell us where your project is and ask whether suitable checked support is available.