Work to start next year on children’s homes

CONSTRUCTION work is set to begin next year on two much-needed children’s care homes in Dumfries and Galloway.

Councillors have demanded more facilities are made available for children locally, and social work and housing officers have been working to establish one residential facility in the west and another in the east.

A positive progress update will be given at next week’s social work committee. A report for that meeting reads: “Work continues to progress in partnership with a registered social landlord on the development of two children’s houses, one in the west of the region and one in the east.

“Suitable sites have now been identified following appraisal of location, accessibility and alignment with service needs. This ensures the homes are trauma-informed, child-centred, accessible and aligned with current regulatory and sustainability standards.

“These developments form a key element of the region’s commitment to Keeping the Promise by increasing high-quality, local, homely accommodation for children and young people and reducing reliance on out-of-area placements.”

Construction work on both sites is expected to begin in early 2027, with completion anticipated by mid-2028.

And costings, financials and staffing models are currently being developed.

The council had initially set aside a budget of £8.5 million for residential places for up to 28 young people.

However, demand was such that 33 places were needed by the end of December, meaning a £1 million overspend.

Meanwhile, private providers continue to increase fees for residential care packages, with the current average cost of a placement at £306,113 – an increase of 36 percent in three years.