New homes for vulnerable children to open this year

Three new homes for children in care will open in South Gloucestershire this summer.

The houses in the villages of Rangeworthy, Frampton Cotterell, and Winterbourne, will provide support for some of the most vulnerable children under the council's care.

The homes are part of a plan to place children in care closer to home with evidence suggesting that young people who stay local do much better in school and in building relationships.

"These homes will keep some of our children who need our help the most in the heart of our communities, where we can collectively nurture them," said South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Councillor Simon Johnson.

"I have had the privilege of meeting many children who have been in care and they have told me clearly, that without help and support from the council and our partners, their lives could have turned out very differently," Mr Johnson explained.

"They are not just children in care, or care leavers, they are a part of our community, and they need our support."

Each of the three "family style" houses will provide space for up to three young people.

In April 2022, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that there were 271 children in care in South Gloucestershire.

There is currently not enough capacity to look after all of the children in the council's care in the local area and this often means that people are sent to be housed in unfamiliar locations far away from their existing communities.

The council also believes that the homes offer better value for money as placements with private companies outside of the district are more expensive than using a council owned facility.

The homes will be managed and staffed by Phoenix Learning and Care.

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