Children's Residential Care Schemes Approved

Plans for two new residential children's homes in South Tyneside and a new purpose-built children's assessment centre have been approved by planners.

The new homes will be built at Grant Street in Jarrow and Hebburn New Town while an assessment centre will be built at Seton Avenue in South Shields to offer overnight support on a short term basis for up to two children undergoing assessment.

The new homes will cater for children who, for whatever reason, cannot live with their birth families.

With only one children's residential home currently in the Borough accommodating a maximum of up to four young people at once, together with a lack of foster carers, young people often have to be placed away from family and friends. Because of a lack of places nationally, children sometimes have to go as far as Scotland and Lancashire.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "It is a tragedy that around four out of five children from South Tyneside who require residential care are placed in a residential home outside of the Borough.

"We are committed to doing right by all our children and young people which is why we want to keep our looked-after children in the communities they regard as home, close to their schools, family and friends. This will result in far better outcomes for them."

Each of the sites incorporate adequate parking, including designated disabled parking and on-site electric charging points for both staff and visitors. At Seton Avenue - the site where the Assessment Centre will be built - where up to two children and around four staff will be housed - seven parking bays have been incorporated.

The Council is always looking for new foster carers. Anyone interested in fostering is asked to visit www.southtyneside.gov.uk/fostering or contact a fostering officer on (0191) 423 8500 or email fostering@southtyneside.gov.uk