‘Unreasonable’ to assume new children’s home plans will result in anti-social behaviour

Loxley House
Loxley House
By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter

A residential property in Bilborough could become a children’s home under new plans.

Divine Dees Care, a relatively new private children’s care firm which was incorporated in 2020, has submitted plans for the home.

If approved by Nottingham City Council, the home will be known as ‘The Dees’, and accommodate three children and up to six staff members.

The care provider says it will provide a safe and nurturing environment for children aged eight to 17 who are not able to live with their birth families.

Divine Dees Care says it has chosen the location so the children living at the home “are not disadvantaged or marginalised by their circumstances and that they are able to access the same opportunities and experiences that other children and their peers have”.

“The location of the home has been chosen in a residential area that has access to resources and services that will benefit the children and the home itself is indistinguishable from other homes in the area,” the provider says.

The plans show the building will have five bedrooms, three for the children and two for staff members who will sleep on-site.

It will be registered with Ofsted and referrals from social services will be reviewed before being accepted.

In a supporting statement the care provider adds: “We will only take referrals for children who are able to live within and will benefit from this type of placement in the community and by doing this we will ensure that the community will not be disturbed by the children who are placed at The Dees.

“We would not consider children who have very specialised needs [such as] physical disabilities or significant mental health issues.

“Children who are placed at The Dees will be encouraged to be good neighbours and citizens and will have access to a variety of opportunities and activities that allows them to develop socially and enable them to integrate positively into and give back to the community in which they are living.

“The property will be run to ensure that the level of care that each young person require can be fully achieved and staff will be always present on site as a support system.

“It would be unreasonable to presume the use of the property would result in antisocial behaviour, particularly give the specific needs of the proposed users.”

Nottingham City Council will decide the plans at a date to be set in future.