South Gloucestershire Labour is investing in three children’s homes in the local area, which will provide support and stability for children who’re being cared for.

We take our role as corporate parents very seriously and buying homes in South Gloucestershire will mean our cared-for young people can be closer to their schools, support networks, and family connections.

Being closer to the place they call home means they will be happier and achieve better outcomes.

Housing that’s far away, and often put forward by private providers, is also more expensive.

Each house – owned by the Council – will be for up to three children aged 11-17 years old, and managed by a specialist provider who will support the young people through trained carers.

We are currently in the commissioning process for this provider and expect this to be completed by May 2024.

One home has already been purchased, a second is under offer, and a third has been identified with negotiations ongoing. They will all look just like any other family home in appearance.

Labour Group Leader and Council Co-Leader Ian Boulton said: “We are proud to be Corporate Parents, and providing a nurturing home that is close to a young person’s existing school and support networks is absolutely the right thing to do.

“We’ve been talking directly with our cared-for young people and hearing how much being close to their loved ones means to them. It makes them so much happier and will only improve their outcomes in life.

“Out of area placements are also more expensive in the long run, so this was a clear win-win for us as an administration.”

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