Children's Home Care in Durham — Support That Puts Your Child First
Almond Flex Care is CQC-registered to provide personal care and support for children aged 0 to 18 in their own home. We support children with disabilities, complex health needs, and additional needs — helping them thrive within their own family, in familiar surroundings, surrounded by the people who love them.
- CQC Registered — Children 0–18
- Enhanced DBS Checked Carers
- Family-Centred Support
- Covering County Durham
Children's Care Durham
What Is Children's Home Care?
Children's home care is professional care and support delivered to a child in their own family home, rather than in a residential or clinical setting. It is designed for children who have disabilities, complex health conditions, or additional needs that require skilled, consistent support beyond what parents can reasonably provide alone.
At Almond Flex Care, we are CQC-registered to provide care for children aged 0 to 18. Our support workers are carefully selected, enhanced DBS checked, and trained to work with children — bringing not only professional skill but warmth, patience, and a genuine understanding that every child deserves to be treated as a child first, and a care recipient second.
Our approach is entirely family-centred. We recognise that parents know their child better than anyone. We listen first, we plan with you rather than for you, and we work alongside your family — never taking over, never imposing routines that do not fit your household.
We also work closely with paediatric teams, community nurses, school SENCOs, and social workers to ensure that the support we provide fits seamlessly with everything else in your child's life.
Who We Support
Children and Young People We Support
Every child is different, and every family's situation is unique. We provide support for children and young people aged 0 to 18 across a wide range of needs and circumstances.
Children with Physical Disabilities
Children with mobility needs, cerebral palsy, muscular conditions, or physical disabilities requiring skilled personal care and safe manual handling support.
Children with Learning Disabilities
Children with learning disabilities or global developmental delay who benefit from structured, patient, and encouraging one-to-one support at home.
Autistic Children and Young People
Autistic children who thrive with consistent routines, familiar support workers, and an approach that respects their individual communication style and sensory needs.
Children with Complex Health Needs
Children with long-term or complex health conditions requiring medication support, monitoring, and close liaison with paediatric and community nursing teams.
Children with Life-Limiting Conditions
Children and young people with life-limiting or palliative conditions, supported gently at home alongside specialist paediatric palliative and hospice teams.
Young People Transitioning to Adult Services
Young people aged 16 to 18 preparing for the transition into adult social care — supported through the change with continuity, familiarity, and reassurance.
What's Included
How We Support Your Child at Home
Every support plan is built entirely around your child — their needs, their routines, their personality, and what your family needs most. Support may include any combination of the following:
- Personal care — washing, dressing, and hygiene support
- Support with feeding, including specialist feeding needs
- Medication prompting and administration
- Safe moving, handling, and mobility support
- Continence care and toileting support
- Overnight care and night-time support
- Support with equipment and assistive technology
- Play, activities, and developmental engagement
- Supporting school routines and homework
- Accompanying to appointments, therapy, and clubs
- Community access and social opportunities
- Short breaks — giving parents time to rest
- Sibling-aware support for the whole family
- Liaison with paediatricians, nurses, and SENCOs
All support is agreed with parents in advance and set out in your child's individual support plan. Nothing happens without your knowledge and agreement.
For the Whole Family
Support for Parents, Siblings, and the Whole Household
Caring for a child with additional needs affects everyone in the family. Parents are often exhausted. Siblings sometimes feel overlooked. Our support is designed with the whole household in mind — not just the child receiving care.
Short Breaks for Parents
Parent carers rarely get time to rest. Our support gives you scheduled, reliable time to sleep, attend appointments, spend time with other children, or simply have an hour to yourself — knowing your child is safe and well cared for.
Sibling-Aware Support
Brothers and sisters matter too. Our support workers are mindful of siblings and work in a way that supports the whole family dynamic — creating space for parents to spend one-to-one time with other children.
Working Alongside You
You are the expert on your child. We never take over. We follow your routines, respect your parenting decisions, and communicate openly and regularly — treating you as a partner in your child's care, always.
Safeguarding
Your Child's Safety Is Everything
Trusting someone with your child is one of the biggest decisions a parent can make. We understand that completely — and we take that responsibility with the seriousness it deserves.
Every support worker who works with children at Almond Flex Care is enhanced DBS checked, fully referenced, and trained in child safeguarding before they ever enter a family home. Our safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly and align fully with County Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership procedures.
- Enhanced DBS Checks — Every WorkerEvery support worker holds a current enhanced DBS certificate including the children's barred list check, verified before any placement begins.
- Child Safeguarding TrainingAll children's support workers complete safeguarding training covering recognition, reporting, and escalation — refreshed annually without exception.
- Full Reference VerificationWe verify employment history and take up references directly. No support worker is placed with a child without complete reference checks in place.
- Clear Reporting ProceduresWe have clear, documented safeguarding reporting procedures aligned with County Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership requirements.
- Regular Supervision and Spot ChecksOur support workers receive regular supervision and unannounced spot checks by senior staff to maintain the highest standards of practice.
- CQC Registered and MonitoredWe are registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission for caring for children aged 0 to 18 — providing independent oversight of our standards.
Getting Started
How Children's Care Begins
We know that arranging care for your child can feel daunting. We make the process clear, unhurried, and entirely led by what works for your family.
- 1
A First Conversation
Contact us by phone, email, or the form below. Tell us about your child and what support you are looking for. There is no pressure, no obligation, and no need to have everything worked out beforehand.
- 2
A Family Assessment at Home
A senior coordinator visits your home at a time that suits you. We meet your child, listen to you as parents, and build a full picture of your child's needs, routines, likes, dislikes, and personality.
- 3
Matching the Right Support Worker
We carefully match a support worker to your child — considering skills, experience, personality, and shared interests. You will always meet them before any support begins, and you have the final say.
- 4
Support Begins, Reviewed Regularly
Support starts at the agreed times. We review the plan with you regularly and adjust as your child grows and their needs change. Our coordinators are always available to you.
Why Choose Us
Why Families in Durham Choose Us for Children's Care
CQC Registered for Children 0–18
We are formally registered with the Care Quality Commission to provide care for children and young people aged 0 to 18 — with independent regulatory oversight of our standards.
Consistent, Familiar Support Workers
Children thrive on familiarity. We work hard to ensure your child sees the same support worker each visit — building genuine trust and a real relationship over time.
Parent-Led Care Planning
You know your child best. Every support plan is built with you, follows your routines, and respects your decisions as parents. We never impose our own approach.
Child-First Language and Approach
Your child is a child first. We support their play, their interests, their friendships, and their development — not just their care needs.
Joined Up with Health and Education
We liaise closely with paediatricians, community nurses, therapists, school SENCOs, and social workers to ensure support is coordinated across every part of your child's life.
Flexible Around Family Life
From a few hours a week to overnight and short break support, we build a package that fits your family's real life — including school runs, siblings, and work commitments.
Common Questions
Children's Care — Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Almond Flex Care is registered with the Care Quality Commission as a homecare agency, and our registration specifically includes “Caring for children (0–18yrs).” Our CQC location ID is 1-19317259059, and you can verify this directly on the CQC website at any time.
Enquire About Children's Care
Complete the form below and a member of our children's care team will be in touch within one working day. We welcome enquiries from parents, carers, social workers, and health professionals.
Prefer to call? +44 1442 967780 · Mon–Wed 8am–7pm · Thu–Fri 8am–5pm
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Every Child Deserves to Thrive at Home
Whether you are exploring support for the first time or looking to change provider, our children's care team is here to listen — with no pressure, no jargon, and complete respect for you as your child's parent. Get in touch today.