Mansfield house could help with shortage of care homes for vulnerable children
A shortage of homes for children in care who cannot live with their own families has led to a planning application for a house in Mansfield.
A change of use is proposed for a semi-detached three-bedroom property, built in the 1930s, at 67 Somersall Street, which is in the Ladybrook area of town.
Shelley Wheeldon has submitted the application to Mansfield District Council, asking to convert it into a small home for three children or young people, aged under 18, who might require “support with emotional and behavioural needs”.
They would be cared for 24 hours a day by “suitably qualified and trained staff”, who would work rota shifts, including overnight, and would be overseen by a manager.
To be called Ruby’s Place, the home would “provide a nurturing and family-centred environment for youngsters who are unable to live with their families”, according to a planning statement.
It would also answer a need for high-quality residential care across Nottinghamshire and the wider East Midlands region.
"Local councils continue to experience increasing demand for children’s care placements,” says the statement.
"Rising numbers of children in care, combined with a shortage of suitable residential placements, have created significant pressure on council services.
"Many children have to be placed considerable distances from their home communities. This can disrupt education, family relationships and access to health services and community support networks.
"Government policy and social care guidance recognise the importance of homes that allow children to remain as close as possible to their local area.
“Ruby’s Place would make a valuable contribution towards meeting this need,” the statement goes on.
“It would be operated by experienced childcare professionals with substantial experience supporting vulnerable children and young people.
"And it has been designed to offer a safe, supportive and structured home environment that promotes stability, wellbeing and positive development.”
Such small homes provided “highly effective support for children who benefit from consistent relationships and personalised care”.
The statement stresses that the youngsters would attend local schools and carry out daily activities in the manner of a family household.
And the home was “not expected to cause any adverse impact on neighbouring properties”, nor “generate significant additional traffic”.
The statement adds: “The children would be supported to engage positively within the local community.
"The home would maintain high standards of supervision, safeguarding and behaviour support. It would be carefully managed, appropriately staffed and regulated.”
It is unclear from the application exactly who the applicant, Shelley Wheeldon, is, although she is said to represent a business called Shelley’s Place. But her agent for the scheme is the Kimberley-based firm, NJW Building Design.
The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and have set a deadline date of Monday, September 21 to make a decision or recommendation. Interested neighbours can post their comments on the planning section of the council’s website.
THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/