At an Individual Decision Day today (Wednesday, December 3), held by Cornwall Council’s Liberal Democrat / Independent cabinet, Cllr Hilary Frank, portfolio holder for children, families and schools, signed off a recommendation to purchase a five-bedroom residential property with extensive gardens near Carnon Downs.
If approved, and following the grant of planning permission for change of use and Ofsted registration, the property will be used as a children’s home, which will be directly provided in-house by Cornwall Council.
The property will be one of two directly provided children’s homes, the other being a home in the Liskeard area.
Historically, the council has directly provided residential children’s homes for disabled children, but not for non-disabled children. Lack of local provision means that children and young people are placed a distance away from their family, friends and local communities.
Cllr Frank said: “This means more of our children can stay closer to the people and places that matter to them. A small, homely setting with support from local teams will really give children far more stability.”
She added there would be a financial benefit to the council as private placements are “extremely expensive” and in some cases can cost as much as £20,000 per week.
The meeting heard that the total number of Cornish children in children’s homes is currently 72, the majority of whom are placed outside Cornwall. The intention is for the council to run the homes at Carnon Downs and Liskeard and then look to expand in the future.