More specialist foster carers to help children
Woodborough Road Children’s Home to be recommended for closure
The City Council has to provide services for children who need to be looked after in the absence of suitable care at home.
Children’s Homes, as initially set up, had a mixture of children, some needing respite care whilst Mum was in hospital, some in trouble with the law. An increase of fostering and adoption means there are fewer youngsters now in Children’s Homes – but they are more challenging.
For some time, the City Council has been working towards closing larger children’s homes and caring for children in smaller, more family-sized units.
We, as Councillors have supported this and worked hard to ensure the effectiveness of management at Woodborough Road Children’s Home in the meantime, liaising with residents and Residents Associations to sort out problems.
Recently, for instance, a resident got in touch regarding an incident, to which staff responded by making clear to the youth this was unacceptable, reporting it to the police and talking with the youth concerned over two days – until he developed the insight to apologise for his behaviour: a huge step for him.
However, we are pleased to announce progress with the strategy means the City Council is set to close Woodborough Road Children’s Home.
Consultation with staff starts next month – a decision should be formally taken by the City Council’s Executive Board in February.
The City Council will be expanding fostering and adoption services in order to cater for these more challenging youngsters.
In time, the building and its land, combined with the Lindens site next door, offers an opportunity to provide more family houses.
[Last updated 2007-01-24]
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