Council to explore multi-million pound investment into accommodation for children and young people

09 September 2024

A new multi-million-pound investment programme to turn more council land and properties into housing for children and young people in care has been unveiled this week.

The initiative by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) would see the local authority transform more of its own land and property into accommodation that better supports looked-after children and young people, whilst also reducing costs for taxpayers.

With the Council and its partners at Northamptonshire Children’s Trust experiencing a rising demand for care accommodation, particularly for those age 14 years upwards, this is currently largely provided by the private sector, making it more expensive and not always suitable for children’s needs.

Having already piloted a handful of successful schemes of converting its own land and properties into children’s accommodation, WNC now plans to embark on a wider programme of work of up to £20million to provide more housing to help meet growing demand.

It is anticipated that most of the future housing would potentially be new-builds on existing council land, with the conversion of some existing council-owned properties, with all future schemes – as and when identified by WNC – subject to the usual planning rules and permissions, as well as consultation with local residents.

“As is the case across the country, accommodation for our children and young people in care is predominantly provided by the private sector, making it typically more expensive and is also potentially at risk of profiteering too. It’s not always suitable for youngsters either, particularly those with complex needs, so by providing our own accommodation we’ll be able to improve their independence whilst joining up services better and reducing costs for taxpayers.

“Pilot schemes show that this model really works and earmarking up to £20million of capital money sets out our commitment towards moving this forward. Of course all future proposals will go through public consultation and planning and this really is about giving these children and young people the same, best life chances as our own within our communities. If we succeed, we are not only investing in homes but in their futures too.”Cllr Fiona Baker, Cabinet Member for Children, Families, Education and Skills at WNC

Members of WNC’s Cabinet will meet next week (Tuesday, 17 September) to discuss amending the Council’s capital budgets in order to proceed with the investment plans. 

Read the report on the WNC website.