Two children’s care homes earmarked for region

TWO new residential children’s homes are being planned for either side of the region in a bid to address the ongoing care crisis.

Accommodation for eight young people – four being housed in the west and four in the east – was approved in principle by Dumfries and Galloway councillors at Tuesday’s social work committee.

The finer details are still to be ironed out, but it is hoped that the children’s homes can be located around the centre of Stranraer and Dumfries.

It is estimated that it will take 18-24 months before they are operational.

Creating more children’s home residential places has become a priority for the council after it was revealed that dozens of kids have been sent to private providers outwith the region in recent years.

This costly practice has led to a bill of around £8m for this year.

Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward welcomed the positive direction, but insisted the council needs to be “more ambitious” rather than just settling for providing eight accommodation places.

She said: “I’m so pleased this has come forward, but we are not being ambitious enough here.

“I think it’s great what we’re doing and that we’re moving forward on this.

“I think we need to be more whole council focused and move faster with this one. It’s not just about the money, it’s about our children and young people, and housing them in a place where we can actually look after them properly.

“Could we perhaps be a bit more ambitious, and add another four on? That’ll give us 12.”

It was confirmed at a meeting in October last year that kids’ residential placement numbers increased from an average level of 16.4 in 2022/23 to 25 for 2023/2024.

Stephen Morgan, the council’s chief social work officer, said: “We can always be more ambitious, but what we’ve tried to balance for the work that we’ve done is that whole system, in terms of what do we need to do with foster care, in relation to early intervention, education etc.”

He added that because council facilities would effectively be competing with private care providers, there may be difficulties in recruiting staff.

Meanwhile, Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor John Young said: “Please don’t have homes in very rural locations. Please have them in the centre of urban areas where they have access to gyms and other facilities.”

Castle Douglas and Crocketford Councillor Iain Howie agreed, saying: “The spend to save benefits here are clear. The added advantage is that we’re bringing children back into our own area.

“It’s important that these homes are located in towns where young people have continued support of families, siblings, and any other services.”