By Anna Whittaker, Local Democracy Reporter
Residents have criticised Nottinghamshire County Council over the location of a children’s home, saying concerns over disturbances have become a reality.
The authority previously approved plans for the home in Ashfield District despite objections from residents.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service is not reporting the location of the home for legal reasons.
Residents close to the home, which is run for the council by Homes2Inspire, say ambulances have been outside “most nights” during some weeks.
The home is part of the authority’s strategy to move away from “institutional” children’s homes in favour of smaller properties in residential areas.
The council also says the more residential locations mean children can be closer to friends and family while they are in care and have a “chance of a good life”.
The spokesperson for Children and Young People’s Issues for the Independent Alliance group at Ashfield District Council has written to the Conservative-led county council to carry out an “urgent investigation” following residents’ complaints.
A 68-year-old resident, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said: “There is an ambulance at the home most evenings and the police have been called to the street too.
“We are retired now and it is not what you want for your retirement.
“We moved onto a peaceful residential road, one of the most expensive in the area, and we didn’t expect to have these social disturbances.
“We were told it would be like a normal family situation, but it hasn’t been like that at all. It’s very disturbing for residents and quite a concern really.”
Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said: “It gives you a bit of anxiety thinking what will you face when you leave your home.
“We did try to fight the home at the council meeting but we were made to feel like we were trying to demonise the children.”
A local councillor representing Ashfield Independents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I am in favour of the principle of these homes, but the way the council have gone about it is ridiculous.
“I really feel for neighbours, they’ve had ambulances there every night and disturbance from shouting and screaming.”
Another resident who lives in the street, who wished to remain anonymous, said the street is a “hidden gem”.
He said: “The issues have left us with disturbed sleep, you’re on hyper-alert in the evenings. We hear the sirens and automatically question if it’s coming to us.”
He added: “My background is in community health services where I deal with challenging and hostile behaviours.
“I like to come home for a bit of peace and I want to sit in my back garden and relax, not to witness similar incidents on my doorstep.”
Councillor Jason Zadrozny, Leader of the Independent Alliance group at Nottinghamshire County Council, and Leader of Ashfield District Council, said the level of incidents is “exactly what we warned the [leading] Conservatives at County Hall would happen”.
He added: “We have asked [health inspectors] the Care Quality Commission to intervene as we have concerns that our most vulnerable children are returning to the point where they are not being safely looked after.”
Nottinghamshire County Council said a full planning consultation was undertaken and a committee hearing enabled objectors and supporters to put forward their views about the location of the home.
Colin Pettigrew, Corporate Director for Children’s Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “Our priority for children who are looked after is that they feel safe and at home where they live, in a comfortable environment that provides them with stability.
“To give them the chance of a good life, all children need to have a home where they can be safe, grow and develop within regular communities where they can feel a sense of belonging.
“Smaller, more ‘typical’ family homes for disadvantaged children who need to be looked after are in their best interests and this is why we are investing heavily in this approach. Our aim for any child who needs this type of care is that they can stay, where possible, in a family-style home, close to their home communities and keep links to things that are important to them like their friends, family and school.
“Children in our homes are individuals with different needs – like other family homes – they have support on hand 24-hours a day, some will also have illnesses and disabilities requiring regular visits from medical professionals.
“In terms of the properties themselves, there are strict specifications to meet and we carry out a number of checks to ensure this, including with the local police to make sure children can be safe. We also consider the facilities such as room for staff, visiting support workers and parking. Both the local authority and Ofsted check new homes and registered managers must pass stringent quality checks, both of which continue to be regularly monitored.
“Homes2Inspire is a large, very experienced and well-regarded children’s residential provider with nearly all of its provision being regarded as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
“We continue to engage at a very local level with providers, residents and other services to ensure that all of our residential homes for looked after children and the young people can be accepted and a positive contribution to their neighbourhoods.”
Homes2Inspire declined to comment.
