Children's home to open (From Stroud News and Journal)

Children's home to open

A CHILDREN'S home is set to open its doors in Stroud's Beeches Green by the middle of September this year.

The original plans for the home, which was to house eight children, had to scrapped when planning permission was refused because mature trees would have had to have been felled to make way for the building.

But social services drew up modified plans for a smaller home for six children, and the project was given the go ahead.

The original plan to use the home as an intake unit, housing children for short stays while more permanent accommodation was sorted out, has also been changed following concerns of residents in the vicinity.

The home will now be a mid- to long-term stay unit.

Sarah Wood, a spokesman for the social services, said the children would not be trouble makers, but would be unable to live with their families because of problems at home, such as an alcoholic or abusive parent.

"They are children who can't live at home for a variety of reasons," she said. "Most of the children will attend local schools and those who don't will have education packages."

None of the children will be over 17 years old.

There will be a minimum of three staff on site at any one time providing round-the-clock supervision.

Building work is already well underway.

"Hopefully it will be open by mid-September and the first children will move in then," said Ms Wood.

"But it's very nearly finished and we're hoping to take possession of it in the next few weeks."

Staff will then work on preparing the home for its first young arrivals.