Children's Homes Capital Programme
DFE · No project ID in the file
Department page: Department for Education
| Data as at | Rating | End date | Whole-life cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2026 | Amber (the department's own assessment) | Low: 31/03/2030, Mid: 31/03/2031, High: 31/03/2031 | £610.13m (in 2024/25 prices) |
Each year’s cost is shown with its price basis. Costs are not compared between years: the March 2024 and March 2025 reports state no price basis, and from March 2026 costs are in 2024/25 prices.
The department’s commentary
This is the department’s own commentary. It may use different prices from the table above, so its figures may not match.
March 2026
Rating: Programme delivery confidence for 2025/26 is Amber. The programme has continued to make progress, but delivery confidence is impacted by the risk faced on a small number of complex, large‑scale capital projects in a sector where comparable facilities have not been delivered for many years. This risk is ongoing rather than new and reflects the technical and commercial challenge of delivering these schemes, with potential pressure on cost and timetable, rather than a lack of momentum. Targeted progress has been made on the highest‑risk projects. This includes securing planning approval and buy-in across relevant local authorities for the new West Midlands safe centre, the London Secure Children’s Home scheme proceeding towards planning submission and construction tender, as well as £53 million of grants being awarded for new Open Children’s Homes to support vulnerable children with complex needs. Construction of the Lincolnshire Secure Children’s Home remains on target for completion in autumn 2026 and occupation from May 2027. Looking ahead, delivery confidence will depend on these major projects moving through procurement and into construction without material delay or cost escalation. The priority is close oversight of the most complex schemes, refreshed forecasts with local partners, and active grant management to intervene early where risks emerge. Sustained grip on these projects will be critical to reducing risk and supporting a move towards Green in future reporting.
Schedule: No schedule narrative has been provided as this programme will not remain in GMPP.
Cost: This programme joined GMPP in 25/26 and will not remain in GMPP going forward. The Whole Life Costs are calculated through combining the approved capital budgets of the projects that make up this programme. As a capital programme, project budgets are reviewed and controlled at key gateways.
Names, figures, dates, ratings and commentary are as the department reported them. Where a rating, cost or date is withheld, the file’s wording is shown. Every major project →