TWO MORE CITY HOUSES FACE KIDS’ CARE HOME CONVERSION

Bid comes as 1,060 children need places

TWO more city houses look set to be converted into children’s care homes.

City councillors have approved separate plans for properties in Leek New Road, Sneyd Green, and Balfour Street, Hanley.

Yesterday’s decisions came as Stokeon-trent has about 1,060 children needing residential care – when they meet this week

Planning committee members heard the two-bedroom Balfour Street midterrace would care for up to one child aged between seven and 17. There would be two carers working at any one time.

They were also told the two-storey, three-bedroom Leek New Road semi would care for up to two children aged between nine and 17, with two members of staff at any one time. A similar application for the site was rejected in April. Both were this time recommended for approval.

The planning report on the Leek New Road application states: “The home would operate closely to that of a normal dwelling house, with children having their own bedrooms and access to all communal areas of the property.

“The children would be able to integrate into the community and would attend local schools. The care home would be located in a residential setting which is considered to help the children integrate within society and it would operate akin to a typical family dwelling.

“There are a variety of reasons why children may end up in care, and applications of this nature are essential to provide children with the chance to integrate into society.

“In being registered with Ofsted, the home would be regulated by certain legislation which would apply in the care of children.

“As well as local authority-run residential care homes for children in Stoke-on-trent, there are also a number of privately-run Ofstedregulated care homes across the city and many of them are located in established residential areas.”