The initiative, named 'Appropriate Places of Care' (APOC), will see the funding of five new children's homes across Cheshire and Merseyside. These homes, registered with Ofsted, will be supported by multidisciplinary health and social care teams to offer intensive, therapeutic, and trauma-informed support.
This programme addresses a recognised gap in provision for young people who may not require Tier 4 inpatient CAMHS care but cannot live safely at home or access suitable regulated social care. Previously, some faced hospital stays or placements in unregulated settings.
Liz Bishop, Chief Executive of NHS Cheshire and Merseyside, described the programme as a "fantastic example of mature system collaboration and shared responsibility". She highlighted it as a demonstration of cross-system corporate parenting in practice, with NHS Cheshire and Merseyside believed to be the first Integrated Care Board to adopt such an approach.
The APOC programme follows the findings of the 2021 'Towards a Better Future: North-West CAMHS Independent Review'. Warrington's Complex Needs Hub at Aviary House is already operational, with further provision planned for Liverpool, Knowsley, and Cheshire East, including regional crisis support.
Mark Palethorpe, Chief Executive of St Helens Borough Council and Chair of the Cheshire and Merseyside Directors of Children’s Services Forum, called it a "pioneering collaboration". He emphasised that pooling expertise and resources is crucial to delivering better outcomes for children, young people, and families across the region.
