Rochdale has opened the first of four new residential homes for children in care, part of a £3.4m investment to keep young people closer to their families and communities.
The new homes, named Ruby, Emerald, Diamond and Sapphire by children in care, will each provide a homely environment for three young residents. Sapphire House, the first to open, marks a step forward in Rochdale Borough Council’s plans to reduce the need for placements outside the borough.
Half of the 12 places will be reserved for children with complex needs and disabilities. More than 40 local children are currently placed outside Rochdale, with some living over 150 miles away, separated from siblings and friends due to national shortages of suitable care provision.
The number of children entering care has risen sharply since the Covid-19 pandemic, with councils across England struggling to secure local placements. Rochdale’s scheme aims to give stability, reduce disruption to education, and provide better oversight of care.
Council leader Neil Emmott said:
“Coming into care can often be a very unsettling time for a child or young person. The last thing we want to do is create even more disruption by placing them in unfamiliar surroundings because of a lack of available places. That is why we have invested in these new homes across our borough – to provide much needed stability and support for our most vulnerable.”
Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, described the homes as “loving environments” that would help children “shine bright like a diamond in our borough”.
Alongside improved care, the initiative is expected to save the council £466,000 annually by cutting reliance on costly external placements. Each home, a mix of four- and five-bedroom properties, will be staffed 24/7 by council-employed carers.
The move follows other local investments in families and children, including the £1.31m government Start for Life programme to strengthen Rochdale’s Family Hub network, and funding boosts for local charities such as Jolly Josh, which supports children with complex needs.
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