When the best day starts with, "What the hell do you want?"

Residential and Attachment, Regulation and Competency Services are among the specialist services provided by Hertfordshire County Council for children, young people and their families.

ARC Services deliver a variety of therapeutic services, such as outreach and support following harmful sexual behavior, rapid-response, Short Breaks and a Families Together Program (FTP).

Residential and ARC Services use the ARC (Attachment, Regulation, Competency) framework as our underpinning practice model, alongside Non Violent Resistance (NVR). This offers children and young people a therapeutic environment.

We have seven residential children's homes across Hertfordshire County. You can see what each home offers and their areas of expertise below.

Care roles currently available

Residential Child Care Worker

No social care experience? Have a thirst for learning, knack for winning over young people and drive to help children realise their potential? We’ll provide you with all the training you need.

See job details

Senior Residential Care worker

Are you a Level 4-qualified Children, Young Person and Family Practitioner (or equivalent) with a solid background in residential work? Join us in making a difference to children in care.

See job details

Jamie-Leigh
ARC Short Break Worker

"Since joining the ARC Services I have been given the opportunity and support to progress within my role"

Deputy Homes Manager
Willow House

"When I saw the advert for a Deputy Homes Manager, I thought there was no way I could be given the opportunity. I have all the support I need, Senior Managers are there to support when the need arises. It is the best decision I made. Hertfordshire is a county of opportunity indeed"

Jessica
Senior ARC Residential Care Worker

"I've worked my way up within ARC Services and they are now supporting me with further training whilst I work"

Senior ARC Residential Care Worker
Bright Skies House

"Working at Bright Skies House is so rewarding, making memories with our young people and spending quality time with them. Most of all making a difference to their lives"

Residential children's homes

The Barns

The Barns is a 5 bedded home for children and young people with social emotional and mental health issues, they are mixed gender aged 11-18. The barns often focuses its work on children and young people who stepping down from a period in a mental health provision.

The Oaks

The Oaks is a 5 bedded home based in Stevenage, it’s a home for up to 5 young people aged 11-18, the home if for young people with social emotional and behavioural difficulties, they will offer placements for children and young people with a variety of needs.

The oaks residential children's home

Six Hills

Six Hills is a 5 bedded home based in Stevenage, it’s a home for up to 5 young people aged 11-18, the home if for young people with social emotional and mental health difficulties, they will offer placements for children and young people with a variety of needs.

Six Hills Residential children's home

Bright Skies House

This is a very unique and specialist home, it is one building with 3 separate houses within it. It offers 2:1 care for our most complex young people who struggle with group living and need a more intense level of support. It enables them to work through the trauma whilst being supported to achieve chronological miles stones, access and achieve academically, prepare for independence and maintain positive links in the local community.

bright skies house residential children's home

The Lakes (ARC Services)

The Lakes is a registered provision which has a dual purpose it offers young people Short Breaks to help maintain the family unit and support the families to work through difficulties. It also offers a more intense Families Together program which enables the young person to stay at the Lakes for 6 weeks whilst intensive family support work is undertaken, these are often families on the edge of care. It is also home to our 24 hour Rapid Response bed.

the lakes residential children's home

Cherry Tree Cottage

Delivered by health and social care, this specialist service provides support from care teams and health staff. It offers 3 young people who are on the brink of being sectioned or stepping down from a mental health provision additional help. This enables them to return to living with family, mainstream residential care or foster care. Children and young people will be offered an intensive support package for up to 12 weeks.

Cherry Tree Cottage home

Willow House

Situated in Welwyn Garden City, this home is registered for up to 6 young people, with physical and learning disabilities. They work closely with 0-25 services and our local special schools who provide ARC and NVR therapeutic support.

willow house residential children's home

Meadow View

Located in Watford, south of the county, this home is registered for 4 young people aged 9 to 18 years. The young people based at this site have social, emotional and mental health needs and offers medium to long term care.
Meadow view residential children's home