New national review to examine professional development in Children's Homes workforce

The Department for Education (DfE) has launched an independent review into professional development across England's children's homes workforce, signalling a renewed focus on the skills, qualifications and career pathways needed to support some of the country's most vulnerable children and young people.

The review, announced in June 2026, will examine the purpose of residential care and consider whether the current workforce has the knowledge, training and professional development opportunities required to meet the increasingly complex needs of children living in residential settings. The findings are expected to inform future workforce standards and the development of new DfE-funded children's homes.

What Will the Review Cover?

The review will focus on several key areas, including:

• The purpose and role of residential children's care
• The knowledge, skills and competencies required by the workforce
• Qualifications and apprenticeship pathways
• Ongoing professional development and training
• Career progression and leadership pathways
• Accountability and professional standards

The Department for Education has stated that the review's recommendations will help shape future workforce expectations and contribute to improving outcomes for children living in residential care.

Why Is This Review Important?

The announcement comes at a time when the children's social care sector continues to face significant workforce challenges. Recruitment and retention remain ongoing concerns, while providers are increasingly supporting children with complex needs, trauma histories and additional vulnerabilities.

There is growing recognition across the sector that a highly skilled and well-supported workforce is essential to delivering stable, therapeutic and relationship-based care. The review offers an opportunity to consider whether existing qualification frameworks and professional development routes adequately prepare staff for the realities of residential care practice.

The review also aligns with wider government reforms across children's social care, including changes to inspection frameworks, workforce standards and efforts to improve outcomes for children and families through earlier intervention and stronger support services.

Opportunities for the Sector

Many sector leaders have welcomed the review as an important opportunity to strengthen the professional identity of residential childcare and raise the profile of careers within children's homes.

Areas likely to attract particular attention include:

• Creating clearer career pathways into leadership roles
• Improving access to high-quality training and continuing professional development
• Supporting workforce retention
• Ensuring qualifications reflect the complexity of residential care practice
• Recognising the specialist skills required to support children who have experienced trauma and adversity

The review is expected to engage with professionals, providers and sector organisations before reporting its findings to ministers in September 2026.

Looking Ahead

For residential childcare providers, workforce development organisations and training providers, the review represents a significant opportunity to influence the future direction of professional standards within children's homes.

As the sector awaits the review's recommendations, there is clear momentum behind strengthening professional development, enhancing career progression and ensuring that children and young people receive support from a confident, skilled and valued workforce.

Further updates are expected later this year when the review reports its findings to government.