The home is the first of three new developments set to be created in the region.
Situated in Seton Avenue, South Shields, the new children’s home has been constructed, in partnership with Able Construction, to provide short-term accommodation for up to two children that are undergoing assessment after first being placed in the care system.
What’s more, two further children’s homes are also under construction in Grant Street, Jarrow and Victoria Court, Hebburn.
South Tyneside Council were the brains behind the decision to deliver more children’s homes. Currently, the local authority provides care for 11 young people across four existing homes.
Cllr Liz McHugh, lead member for children, families and social care and education and skills at South Tyneside said: ‘It’s wonderful to see our first new children’s home completed. It’s a lovely welcoming, safe and secure place, with a beautiful garden, and I’m sure the young people who stay will feel at home here.
‘Staff will always be on hand to offer support and guidance to the children and address any issues faced, as any parent would their child.’
According to an Ofsted report that was published in May 2023, there were too few suitable places to keep children in care close to home. Meanwhile, a report funded by the Nuffield Foundation found more than 80% of children’s homes nationally are now operated by the private sector. This is up more than 20 per centage points since 2010.
‘We take our corporate parenting responsibility very seriously. Caring for our children within the Borough, and keeping them closer to home and their communities, helps to improve the life chances and aspirations of children in care and supports us to be able to provide them with the best home and parenting experience we can offer,’ Cllr McHugh added.
‘Our young people can still attend school, be closer to their families and wider support network and enjoy time with their friends, as any child should.
‘A lack of residential places for looked-after children is an issue faced by many councils across the country, but we are focusing significant investment in this space. By providing our own children’s homes, we won’t need to rely on the private sector to support us. These facilities also help to reduce the cost of expensive out of borough placements.’
Image from South Tyneside Council
In related news:
Leave a Reply