PLANS to build new children’s homes in Coventry are set to be discussed by the city council’s cabinet next Tuesday (July 11.)
If approved, the homes are expected to be created and opened over the next three years.
The council currently has four children’s homes for up to 16 looked after children, with an extra 12 places provided by private organisations.
This means any child who can’t be cared for locally are found a place to stay in another area, sometimes miles from home.
A three-year strategy has been drawn up to buy and refurbish two further privately owned residential properties.
These would be transformed into two homes, with each one able to house up to four looked after children with trauma-related emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The plan would also see a second home built for looked after children with a disability as well as consider a new short breaks home to replace Broad Park House.
The council is already creating a ‘short stay same day’ home which would be the city’s first ever purpose-built house for looked after children with a disability.
The cost of external residential placements made by Coventry has increased by 57 per cent in the past five years.
The council’s cabinet member for children and young people, Coun Patricia Seaman, said: “We know that our looked after children are happiest and most settled when they are near their own homes, their families and their friends.
“These new plans will allow more children to have that support network when they need it most, and it will also mean they can be cared for by our own highly trained and dedicated staff, with a continuity of care that will give them the best possible chances in life.
“The new homes will also allow us to find places quickly, to get children settled and to be able to meet our own needs, rather than relying on external agencies and being at the mercy of rising prices and possible varying levels of care.”
