Cheshire East Council is pleased to announce the start of a scheme to increase the number of small-scale children’s homes in the Borough as part of its commitment to improving outcomes for young people in care.
These homes will be for children, who through no fault of their own, are not able to live with their natural parents.
The project will start with the opening of two new homes in April in the Macclesfield and Sandbach areas. It is hoped to complete the provision with a further home later in the year.
This will fulfil the Council’s aim to improve provision for children within Cheshire East.
It will also complement the excellent work already being carried out at the Council’s two other small-scale residential children’s homes in Crewe. Both of which have been judged by Ofsted as providing the best care.
This means children will be able to remain at their local schools, within their communities and closer to friends and relatives who could offer support.
In a conscious move away from the larger more ‘institutionalised’ buildings, the homes will be smaller domestic properties catering for no more than four children. There will be a minimum of two staff on duty at any one time.
It is important to point out that the children who will be living in the homes will have come into the care of the Council for a variety of reasons, through no fault of their own, and need our help and assistance.
These children have unfortunately not had the benefit of growing up in a loving family and the aim of these smaller homes is to give them the opportunities that most children are afforded as a matter of course.
The homes will cater for local ‘cared for’ children up to the age of 17.
It has been proven that smaller-scale children’s homes, that provide a more personalised level of care, better meet young people’s social, recreational and domestic needs.
Specialist providers from the private sector, and charities, have been contracted to run the homes for a five-year period. Both providers have considerable experience in the running of such homes and ensuring their success within local communities.
Councillor Hilda Gaddum, Cabinet member with responsibility for children and family services, said: “These new children’s homes will make a big difference to the lives of children in care for years to come.
“The shift to smaller ‘home-from-home’ properties is an effort to replicate, as closely as possible, a ‘normal’ family home environment. The success of this approach has been proven by the excellent results we’ve had at two similar homes in Crewe.
“As a Council it is our responsibility to give children and young people in our care the best possible opportunities to make the most of their lives. These new homes will help us do that.”
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