Gloucestershire lines up closures
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Gloucestershire County Council has begun consulting on plans that could see all five of its children's homes closed down.
The move is being considered as part of a review of its residential care services and could see the council closing its homes and commissioning care placements to outside providers.
Other options being considered include shutting three of the homes and investing in emergency residential care and intensive fostering services, or keeping the five homes open.
Jonathan Stanley, manager of the National Centre for Excellence in Residential Child Care, said he would have liked to have seen Gloucestershire consider a fourth option that combined aspects from all three plans to meet all children's needs.
Conservative councillor Paul McLain, Gloucestershire's cabinet member for young people, said: "Everyone involved will be able to have their say. Special events have been organised for the children and young people. We will also be consulting staff who work within the homes."
The consultation ends on 24 October.
