Eleventh Hour Group’s very own Ben Clark, speaks candidly about the state of Complex Care in the UK, the statistics and the challenges faced by children and young people within the system. Ben explores the complex nuances of the system itself, and how he and his dedicated team work tirelessly, 24/7 to ensure they can meet the complex needs of the vulnerable people they serve. At the heart of it all, Ben reminds us that it must always come back to those children and young people. Those who matter to Eleventh Hour Group’s Complex Care Team the most.
Meeting Complex Needs with Compassion and Care
Ben Clark, Eleventh Hour Group
We know that every young person deserves more than just a roof over their head. They deserve to feel safe, understood, and valued. That’s why we’re proud to announce a significant step forward in our mission: we are in the final stages of securing a 3-bed detached home in Sheffield that will soon become a bespoke, solo Ofsted-registered provision for a young person with particularly complex needs.
This is not just a property. It’s the beginning of a new chapter for a young person who has experienced repeated placement breakdowns and profound instability. It’s about creating a safe, stable home that responds to trauma with care and intention. Not control.
Too many young people with high and complex needs are labelled as “too challenging.” Too often, they’re let down by systems that aren’t designed to meet the depth and nuance of their needs. At Eleventh Hour Group, we exist to change that, to fill the gaps that conventional care settings simply can’t.
In this blog will explore the scale of the challenge within the UK’s complex care system, how Eleventh Hour Group is uniquely positioned to meet these needs, and what our new Sheffield provision represents for the future of trauma-informed, child-centred care.
Understanding the State of Complex Care in the UK
The children’s social care system in the UK is under enormous pressure. Rising levels of need, a shortage of appropriate placements, workforce instability, and increasing financial strain on local authorities have combined to create a perfect storm, one where vulnerable children often suffer the consequences.
Key statistics:
- 81,080 children were looked after by local authorities in England as of March 2023, the highest number ever recorded (DfE, 2023).
- At least 1,100 children are placed in unregistered or unregulated homes, often because there are no suitable regulated settings available. Though it is suspected the number is significantly higher as Local Authorities do not have to share this information. (Ofsted, 2024).
- Nearly 1 in 5 children in care experienced three or more placement moves in a single year, leading to disrupted relationships, education, and emotional wellbeing (Children’s Commissioner, 2022).
- The use of unregulated provision for children under 16 has been banned since 2021, but loopholes and shortages persist, especially for those with complex needs.
- 40% of children in care have a diagnosed mental health disorder, a rate four times higher than their peers in the general population (NSPCC, 2023).
Behind every number is a child. A story of unmet needs, disrupted attachments, and resilience in the face of profound adversity.
What Do We Mean by “Complex Needs”?
When we talk about complex needs, we’re referring to young people whose behavioural, emotional, and psychological challenges cannot be safely or effectively managed in group residential settings or traditional foster care.
Though this isn’t an exhaustive list, these may include:
- Childhood trauma and abuse
- Neurodevelopmental conditions (such as autism or ADHD)
- Mental health disorders (such as PTSD, depression, or emerging personality disorders)
- Risk of exploitation or gang involvement
- Attachment difficulties
- Challenging or aggressive behaviour
- Self-harm and suicidal ideation
- Learning disabilities.
These children often bounce between multiple settings, including hospitals, secure units, and temporary placements. Each move reinforces instability, making healing even more difficult. The lack of specialised solo placements leaves many local authorities without options, and many children in limbo.
The Eleventh Hour Approach: Child First, Always
At Eleventh Hour Group, our approach flips the conventional model on its head. We don’t start with the building. We start with the child.
We ask:
Who is this young person?
What has life looked like for them so far?
What are their unmet needs? Their fears? Their strengths?
From there, we build a bespoke environment around them, physically, emotionally, and therapeutically.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
A Therapeutic Environment
Every detail of our homes is designed with healing in mind. From the sensory aspects of lighting, sound, and layout, to the creation of calm, safe spaces for reflection and regulation, we design homes that feel like sanctuaries. Trauma-informed design is not an afterthought, it’s a fundamental priority.
A Skilled and Consistent Team
We recruit teams based not just on qualifications, but on values. Staff receive advanced training in trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and therapeutic approaches. Just as importantly, we prioritise experience and consistency. We know that young people can’t begin to build trust if they’re meeting new faces every week. Our provisions are intentionally small and stable.
A Home, Not a Unit
We’re not interested in running “placements.” We’re creating homes. Our solo homes are designed to feel like a warm, supportive, family-like environment. Not an institution. Personalisation is encouraged. The child has input in how their space is decorated, what meals they eat, and how their daily routine unfolds.
Regulatory Excellence
We work closely with Ofsted from day one. For the Sheffield home, we’ve already initiated steps for fast-tracked registration, including instructing solicitors and preparing for inspection. For young people languishing in unsuitable or unregulated care, our model ensures a fast, but safe, transition into a regulated, rights-respecting environment.
Spotlight: Our Sheffield Provision
The new Sheffield provision is being developed for a young person who has faced multiple failed placements and repeated disruptions. Like many others, they’ve been described as “too complex” for existing services.
But we don’t believe in “too complex.” We believe in responding differently.
- The home will support just one child, 24/7, with round-the-clock therapeutic staff.
- The team will be selected specifically based on the child’s profile and trained in trauma-informed relational care.
- Therapeutic support (such as counselling, art therapy, or occupational therapy) will be embedded, not bolted on.
- The goal is stability, relationship, and recovery, not behaviour management alone.
This child will be met where they are, not where the system expects them to be. That’s what makes our model work.
Filling the Gaps the System Can’t
The reality is that most local authorities are facing huge challenges in finding appropriate, regulated solo placements. The number of providers offering truly therapeutic, Ofsted-compliant solo homes is limited. Budget pressures, regulatory hurdles, and staffing challenges mean many children fall through the cracks.
At Eleventh Hour Group, we bridge this gap by offering:
Rapid Response Placements
We can work quickly to establish Ofsted-registered homes, fast-tracking processes in collaboration with local authorities, legal teams, and inspectors. Our compliance and governance expertise ensures quality from day one.
Bespoke Wraparound Models
We don’t offer one-size-fits-all packages. Each provision is tailored, from staff profiles to daily routines. Whether a young person needs a high staffing ratio, specific therapeutic input, or a sensory-friendly environment, we build it from the ground up.
Partnership with Commissioners
We believe collaboration is key. Our team works closely with commissioners, social workers, and independent reviewing officers to co-design care packages that meet local needs, manage budgets effectively, and improve long-term outcomes.
A Call to Local Authorities and Partners
If you’re supporting a young person who’s been stuck in unregulated care, refused placements, or labelled “too complex”, call us now.
We know the pressures you’re under. The budget limitations, the placement shortages, the urgency. But we also know that the right placement can change the entire trajectory of a child’s life.
At Eleventh Hour Group, we’re ready to walk you through the possibilities:
- We can co-develop new bespoke solo homes across the UK
- We can fast-track regulatory processes to ensure safety and compliance
- We can provide highly specialised staff teams with consistent supervision and support
- We can help transition young people out of risk and into recovery
A Scalable, Sustainable Model
While our work is intensive and bespoke, we’re also building a replicable model for local authorities who want to commission similar solutions in their region. This includes:
- Shared learning and CPD sessions
- Support in navigating Ofsted requirements
- Consultation on property selection and staffing
- Partnership frameworks for long-term collaboration
Our Sheffield home is just one step in a wider strategy to create meaningful change. One young person at a time.
care in the comunity
One Person, One Chance
Behind every placement is a person. A person who didn’t ask for the adversity they’ve faced. A young person who, given the right environment, can heal, grow, and thrive.
We don’t do this work because it’s easy; we do it because it’s essential.
Let’s stop asking children to fit into systems that weren’t built for them. Let’s build systems that adapt to their needs. That’s what Eleventh Hour Group is here to do.
Get in touch today if you’re a commissioner, local authority, or social care professional ready to explore how we can work together. One conversation could change everything for a child who’s still waiting for their first real chance at home.
