THREE new council-run children’s homes are preparing to welcome their first children.
The homes will allow more children in care to stay in Reading, close to their school, friends, and family, rather than having to move out of the borough.
The availability of Council-owned homes will also mean there is less reliance on expensive private provision miles from Reading.
Councillors say care has been taken to ensure the refurbishment and furnishing of the three properties creates the feel of a family home while also meeting Ofsted inspection requirements.
Two properties will be used as residential homes for a total of up to eight children, including two short term assessment places, and the other will care for up to two children with more complex needs.
Two of the properties were already owned by the Council and the other was purchased for this project.
Cllr Wendy Griffith, Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “I am delighted that the Council’s three new children’s homes will soon be up and running.
“Every effort has been made to ensure each property reaches the highest standards of safety as well as creating a comfortable, friendly and welcoming place that feels as much like a family home as possible.
“The council’s three new children’s homes will help reduce the number of children having to leave the borough when they become looked after.
“I am particularly pleased to see some young people returning to Reading who previously had to live miles away because there was no suitable accommodation closer to home.
She explained: “Being able to remain close to their schools, friends, family and community, where it is appropriate, can make such a difference to a young person’s sense of stability and belonging.
“The opening of these homes also reduces the Council’s reliance on expensive private provision miles away from Reading and has created more jobs for local people.”
