First of four new children’s homes to open its doors
Wiltshire Council have helped create four new care homes as a way of helping children stay local to their home town.
The local authority have partnered with Horizon Care and Education Group for the next day years to help deliver all four establishments. The homes are set to provide up to 12 spaces for children and young people and will be situated near schools and people’s support networks.
Phoenix Grove – one of the care homes – will become the first to welcome residents. The property will deliver four placements for young people and it has been renovated with a modern kitchen, lounge, games room and a big garden with a separate annex for group activities.
Lunar, the second home, is forecast to be the next to open.
Laura Mayes, cabinet member for children’s services, said: ‘While we always try to place children in care with foster carers, for various reasons this is not always possible. In these situations, a children’s home can provide a safe home where young people can feel secure and are close to their education, friends and communities.
‘The homes are a great example of how we are investing in services for young people to give them the best possible outcomes. It also demonstrates how we are investing in services to save money in the long term and safeguard our services for the future. By creating residential homes here in Wiltshire not only do we give young people the best possible setting in which to thrive, but we also save money on expensive private or out of county placements.
‘We are pleased to be working with Horizon Care and Education Group to deliver this exciting new approach to care in Wiltshire. These are our young people and we want them to continue to be within our communities.’
Emma Carrington, managing director of residential services for Horizon Care and Education Group said: ‘We look forward to opening the first of four new, beautifully designed homes for young people.’
‘This important milestone will be a significant step forward in our partnership with Wiltshire Council to support young people with complex needs, allowing them to remain closer to local schools, friends, and essential support networks,’ she added. ‘We are also excited to share that we are nearing completion of our second home, which we look forward to opening soon. These homes represent our unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing environment where young people can thrive and feel truly at home.’
News of the care homes opening follows an announcement from the Department of Education last month, where officials revealed they will be funding initiatives that are working to ensure siblings in care stay together and children remain as close to their families as possible.
Image: Horizon Care
