CYP Now - Proposals to reduce ‘prejudiced’ local opposition to planned children’s homes

Greater collaboration between councils, private children’s homes providers and local communities is needed to reduce “prejudiced” opposition to planning applications from local residents, according to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Providers have struggled to obtain planning permission for small homes, the CMA says. Picture: Adobe Stock

The findings of a year-long review into the children’s social care market by the competitions watchdog found that many providers experienced planning permission being rejected due to local people opposing the home.

“One provider considered that the planning process isn’t a barrier to entry itself but ‘prejudiced or political views held by residents’ is such a barrier,” according to the report.

“Opposition is often based on misunderstandings about what a children’s home is and about looked-after children”, the CMA says.

This can arise because of fears that the children living in the home will be disruptive.

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