Third new Buckinghamshire children’s home to open its doors
Buckinghamshire Council will shortly open its third new children’s home as part of its transformation programme to provide quality, nurturing, local places to live for children and young people in care.
The Beeches will offer a welcoming and homely environment for children in the council’s care, as an alternative to foster care. The first new, council-run children’s homes, Lawrence Lodge and Pineview, opened earlier this year. Over the next two years Buckinghamshire Council plans to open a total of 10 homes across the county, where there is most need, so children can stay close to areas they know.
With more than 500 children currently under the care of Buckinghamshire Council, many are looked after by the growing community of in-house foster carers. For children who need an alternative, the council is creating 10 in-house homes which will offer secure and nurturing placements for more than thirty vulnerable young people.
Investing in children’s homes like The Beeches allows the council to keep children and young people in care within Buckinghamshire, close to their local community and friends, which is one of the core aims of the transformation programme. It also creates a significant cost saving for the council, of £7.5m per year from 27/28 (when all 10 homes will be up and running) by providing excellent care for our children at a lower cost than private-run children’s homes.
Carl Jackson, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education & Children’s Services, attended the official opening of the new home on Friday (21 November).
He said: “It is important that children and young people in our care are offered a safe and nurturing place to call home which is close to everything they know. By opening children’s homes like The Beeches, we can provide better outcomes and brighter futures for vulnerable children and young people. At the same time, by creating our own in-house care homes, rather than using private providers, we can make significant savings which help our resources go further to support young people. It is a good result for everyone involved.”
The council is currently seeking staff to work in the new children’s homes. Take a look at the Children's Residential Worker Candidate Pack to learn more.
Alternatively, come along to the Children’s Residential Recruitment open day on 25 November. Sign up here: Residential Recruitment Open Day.
In the photo, Carl Jackson, Cabinet Member for Children's Services & Education, centre and Jilly Jordan, Deputy Cabinet Member for Children's Services & Education, left, with Buckinghamshire Council staff at the official opening of The Beeches.