Cabinet has approved plans to invest £1.26m in six new children’s residential homes.
 

This will increase the number of places available in Northumberland’s children’s homes  to 21 and mean more of the county’s most vulnerable young people can stay closer to their communities. 
 

Residential services are for children and young people who cannot live at home, either for long or short periods. There are four residential homes across the county including our secure children’s home facility, Kyloe House. 
 

All are rated good or outstanding by Ofsted and teams of dedicated staff support young people, encouraging them to make positive choices to reach their potential and creating a home-from-home environment full of warmth, fun and laughter. 
 

The six new properties will all be designed to meet the needs of one child or young person and will be part of a new model of “multi-building children’s homes.” 
 

The Government recently introduced changes in the rules to allow multi-building children’s homes to give greater flexibility on how children’s residential care can be designed and delivered. 
 

The smaller properties will be able to offer more tailored support to children with the most complex needs, or older young people that are preparing for adulthood and independence.   
 

Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet member with Responsibility for Inspiring Young People, said: “As corporate parents, it’s our responsibility as a council to provide a safe and stable home for the children and young people in our care. 
 

“We have fantastic foster carers in the community and dedicated teams working in our children’s residential homes who go above and beyond to create a family environment, full of warmth, laughter and support.   
 

“This investment will create six more places within Northumberland and is part of our longer-term plans to ensure as many young people as possible are able to stay within their home communities.”