By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
Housing for two vulnerable children in need of support could be created if a Mansfield house is turned into a specialist children’s home.
Provider Greenline Healthcare Group has lodged plans for the current four-bed property, off Eakring Road, to become the care facility.
The company says the home, if approved by Mansfield District Council, would help to tackle a “record number” of children in care or needing care across the country.
Current Department for Education figures show 80,850 children in England are classed as ‘looked-after’, meaning they are within the care system, with about 1,000 of these children based in Nottinghamshire.
And the company says its new home would look to support vulnerable children who have experienced trauma in their lives, providing care to help them “reach their full potential”.
Its plans state the home would include two bedrooms for the children and space for two live-in staff and a manager.
In total, 10 members of staff would work at the facility on 12-hour shifts, covering a 24/7 period of supporting the children.
No external or internal changes would be made to the existing house.
Statements submitted by the company said: “[Our mission] statement is to provide outstanding quality of care and opportunities to enable the children … to reach their full potential and improve their life chances and outcomes.
“This is undertaken in a safe, secure, friendly environment that is non-institutional, promoting family-style living as a positive experience
within the home and community.
“Such support helps children to recover from experiences of trauma and significant social disruption which have rendered them vulnerable.
“The proposed use of this site would provide care for two children between the ages of 10 and 17 years old (on admission).
“Two members of staff would be present on-site at all times. The total staff team would consist of a total of 10 members of staff operating a 12-hour rota system.
“Each child would be fully assessed for their suitability to be placed into this home.”
The company says four parking spaces are available on an existing driveway connected to the home, with traffic not expected to be increased any higher than a typical four-bedroom home.
If approved, the home would be assessed by education watchdog Ofsted.
Applications to place children in the home would be assessed by Nottinghamshire County Council, the local children’s social care and education authority.
And the application comes after the Conservative-led county council changed its approach to children’s homes, moving away from traditional, larger facilities to smaller sites with a more traditional home environment.
Councillor Tracey Taylor (Con), portfolio holder for children and young people, said earlier this year: “What we want is our children to feel at home where they live.
“Having a portfolio of two-bedroom homes, which are fit for purpose, will help us to achieve that vision.”
If approved, Greenline Healthcare Group would be commissioned by the county council to provide support to the youngsters.
Mansfield District Council’s planning committee will review the plans at a later date.
