Council sets aside £1.5m to convert two properties on schools grounds, reports Simon Allin, Local Democracy Reporter

Children sit on a bench (credit Piron Guillaume via Unsplash) — credit Piron Guillaume via Unsplash

Enfield Council plans to create two new children’s homes to cope with rising numbers of young people needing residential care.

The civic centre has set aside £1.5million to convert two buildings into homes for looked-after children as it seeks to boost local provision and avoid expensive out-of-borough placements.

A report presented to a meeting of the council’s cabinet on Wednesday (19th) states that in 2021/22, 88% of children placed in residential care were given out-of-borough accommodation, with the amount spent on residential placements totalling £7.2m.

It adds that demand for residential provision is likely to rise in future years because of increasing numbers of children and young people in the care system.

To help boost local provision, the council plans to buy former site managers’ houses at Carterhatch School and Raglan School from the Department for Education before extending and refurbishing the properties.

Each of the new homes will be able to accommodate three children, with one used to house youngsters with complex or behavioural needs.

The report states that both schools support the proposals but notes that the release of the properties is subject to the approval of the government.

It adds that converting the two properties, which will also have access to “safe and secure outdoor garden space for recreation”, marks the “beginning of a longer-term strategy to provide more residential care in Enfield”. If all goes to plan, the council hopes the children’s homes will be open by January next year.

Speaking during Wednesday’s meeting, Abdul Abdullahi, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The [number of] children being placed in a residential setting has been increasing, not [just] in Enfield but nationally due to children and young people entering care with complex and mental health needs. This also means the average costs keep on rising as demand outstrips supply.

“By opening two local homes in the borough, we are looking to create more capacity for our looked-after children in Enfield, which will allow children to be closer to their families and friends, and access local resources such as schools.”

Cabinet members unanimously approved the proposals set out in the report.

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