Council-run children's home proposed to meet needs

Early plans are under way to set up a small council-run children's home, a local authority has said.

Members of Peterborough City Council's cabinet are being asked to support the proposal at a meeting on Thursday.

The council said it was getting more difficult to find suitable care placements, particularly for older children and those with complex needs, and a new children's home would help provide local "safe and high-quality" care.

If approved, council officers will draw up a detailed business case for a house for up to four children.

Katy Cole, Labour cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We are looking at how we can provide more local options, strengthen the quality of care and make sure decisions are driven by the needs of children and young people."

Any business case would look at possible locations, costs, staffing requirements, timescales and value for money.

Peterborough City Council has a statutory duty to provide care and accommodation for children who enter care.

A council report last week said rising children's care costs had significantly contributed to Peterborough City Council's forecasted £7.9m overspend for 2026-27, with some residential placements costing more than £10,000 a week per child.

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