Without adult supervision, the residents of Elm Tree House seize the opportunity to be free and wreak havoc. With Mike enjoying a well-deserved holiday and Gina hospitalized following the recovery of an unexploded grenade, the young people become obstreperous, driving Gus to breaking point. Faith and Elektra act as if they are actual care workers.

First Appearance: Leanne Dunstan as Faith Davis

Still without their beloved care worker, the children soon realise that they are unable to fend for themselves and turn against each other. Having spent all of their money, the residents face starvation with the fridge devoured of all its contents. Meanwhile, Elektra takes advantage of the ensuing fall-out through attempting to win herself a free trip to Australia, which eventually backfires, as Gina is discharged from the hospital and overhears what is going on, the children receive a telling off from Gina, Faith pretending to be a care worker, Frank and Tyler gambling and the rest stealing Johnny’s money and locking him and Tee in the coal bunker. She tells them she’s stopping the pocket money until they pay Johnny back and the petty cash and she also told them it was an irresponsible thing to do they could’ve got hurt or worse and also tells them if Mike found out about this he would never take another holiday again she was pleased when Tee phoned her, and she talks to Elektra about the situation with the Australia trip, then joining the people to clean up the backyard. The episode ends with Mike returning from his holiday, and he tells everyone what has been happening.

When Shannay, the pregnant girlfriend of Lily's dad, Steve, moves into the flat, Lily feels jealous and thus commits rebellious acts. Shannay accidentally breaks the frame of Lily's picture, which is the last straw for Lily, so, with Mike's permission, she temporarily moves back into The Dumping Ground. However, after some reassuring advice from those closest to her, Lily eventually returns to the flat and meets her new half-sibling, Jonah. Meanwhile Tyler and Rick are looking for ways to remove Tyler's tooth.

Absent: Noah Murallo as Gus Carmichael

Jody seems happy to be back with her family, but Carmen soon discovers she lives in terror of her brother, Kingsley, and plots a rescue mission. Meanwhile, Gus and Tyler learn morse code because it is more quicker than texting on a phone, even with the torches.

The Dumping Ground is divided when a same-sex couple show an interest in fostering Gus. As Johnny and Elektra debate about whether gay couples should be allowed to adopt, Gus is in turmoil about leaving the Dumping Ground and father figure Mike behind. But through a series of phases Gus eventually decides to be fostered.

Last Appearance: Noah Marullo as Gus Carmichael

Wicked whispers fly when the police come to see Faith, who will not say why. Meanwhile new girl Floss arrives and wonders where on Earth she has been dumped when Harry informs her of the Dumping Ground's past.

First Appearance: Sarah Rayson as Floss Guppy

After bad exam results, Frank denounces school and gets himself a job in a café where he falls for the waitress, Jade, who introduces him to a psychic. Is he being taken for a ride?

Rick's father, Gerry, turns up for start a fresh start with him. But are Rick and Gerry really ready? Meanwhile, Gina's mum, Hattie, turns up and Tee thinks that Mike wants Hattie in a home.

Absent: Jessie Williams as Lily Kettle

Special Guest Appearance: Chris Simmons as Gerry

It is the day of the Dumping Ground's annual day out and the Young People decide to be Edwardians for the day. However, the day is not fun when Johnny is in charge and he ruins the day for everyone when he humiliates Elektra making fun of Carmen’s schoolwork and making comments about Lilly and her dad and he accidentally throws food over a painting that gets him and the rest of the gang kicked out and everyone tells him he ruined it for them all.

Absent: Leanne Dunstan as Faith Davis

Mo is the Dumping Ground's new eccentric resident and everyone thinks he is a bit strange. especially Tyler. Tee takes pity on Mo but Mo has not had a real friend before and Tee is soon annoyed with him.

First Appearance: Reece Buttery as Mo Michaels

Absent: Jessie Williams as Lily Kettle

When a big practical joke on Elektra backfires, Tyler decides it is time that he grew up. Meanwhile, Lily, Carmen and Tee fall out at an unsupervised sleepover at Lily's flat.

Absent: Sarah Rayson as Floss Guppy

Carmen alienates the Dumping Ground kids when she finds a new best friend in exotic rich girl, Esme, who gives Carmen the chance to run away to Rio with her. Will Carmen leave the Dumping Ground and more importantly the country behind? Meanwhile, the kids start worrying when Mike starts having spasms of pain...

A face from the past comes back to haunt Faith and brings danger to the Dumping Ground. And Mo buys a 'magic' egg which unexpectedly hatches into what Johnny and Elektra believe is a venomous snake!

Last Appearances: Kay Purcell as Gina Conway and Jessica Revell as Elektra Perkins