Radical new £1.8m service to replace traditional children’s care homes in Perth and Kinross.

Council bosses want greater focus on early intervention

Nearly £2 million is being spent on services to replace traditional children’s homes in Perth and Kinross.

Councillors agreed to scrap a residential centre for troubled youngsters as part of a major shake-up of care services.

The review was called to address a surge in the number of vulnerable children needing specialist care.

Local authority bosses want to overhaul the way youngsters “on the edge of care” are looked after, with greater focus on early intervention and prevention measures.

The council has tendered contracts for a range of new services throughout the region.

They will be the first of their kind in the country and are based on an innovative scheme called No Wrong Door which was launched in North Yorkshire. The programme was deemed “outstanding” by Ofsted.

According to contract briefs, more than £1m will be spent setting up an intensive family support service.

A council spokesman said the scheme would focus on families with children aged five to 11.

“It will help ensure children will be supported to remain at home where possible and engage with parents to improve their capacity to care for their children, provide practical parenting skills and help build their ability to engage with their community,” he said.

It is understood the work will be carried out at The Cottages in Almondbank, which presently offers residential support for around three to four youngsters.

A further £300,000 will go towards a support service for children living with substance abuse. It will also help children living with domestic violence.

Another £300,000 will be spent setting up an “early years parenting support service”, focusing on expectant mothers or families with children under five.

Groups are being urged to submit bids for the contracts by February 23.

The total cost of setting up the new service will be just under £1.7m.

More money may have to be spent on accommodation for emergency cases.

However, officials believe it will cut the number of external placements by half, saving hundreds of thousands of pounds in the process.

It will help ensure children will be supported to remain at home where possible and engage with parents to improve their capacity to care for their children. COUNCIL SPOKESMAN