Rochdale Borough Council has approved £900000 to create four new solo children’s homes in the borough. The move aims to help more cared for children and young people live closer to home.
Senior councillors have agreed the funding as part of ongoing efforts to improve support for children in care and reduce the need for placements far from their communities.
The money will come from the council’s capital programme and will be used to convert four residential properties into children’s homes during the next financial year.
Each home will accommodate one child and will be designed for young people with more severe and complex needs who require highly focused care.
The homes will be operated directly by the council with staff on site around the clock to support the children living there.
Group residential homes provide constant care and opportunities for social interaction, but the council says they are not always suitable for every child.
Solo residential homes offer more tailored and intensive support, which can help children improve emotional regulation, stability and personal safety.
Demand for this type of provision has increased as more children entering care have complex needs.
Because of a shortage of suitable placements locally, some children from Rochdale are currently living in solo residential homes outside the borough. The furthest placement is more than 50 miles away.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education, said: “We want every child in our borough to feel safe, supported and thrive in an environment that they call home.
“We firmly stand by that commitment, and this further investment into additional new children’s homes showcases our determination to provide more of the right care and support for those who need it the most.
“Stability is the golden thread that runs through everything we do for our cared for children and young people, and I know the impact of these new homes will make such an important difference to their lives as they grow, flourish and stay connected to a borough they know well.”
The new provision will allow more children to remain close to their families, schools and support networks.
The expansion follows a previous £3.4 million investment by the council last year which funded four new residential children’s homes across the borough.
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