Plans to transform Coventry house into children's home amid 'national crisis'

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Up to three children would live at the house in Stivichall



Plans have been submitted to Coventry City Council asking for permission to turn a family home in Stivichall into a small children's home amid what has been called a 'national crisis'. The four bedroom semi-detached home on Dawlish Drive could see three children aged between 11 and 17 living permanently at the property.

The home would see residents sharing a bathroom, kitchen, living room and dining area. A fourth bedroom would be transformed into a sensory room, with the garage used as an area for staff.

Staff would be on hand around the clock, including a manager and support staff work shift pattern. The plans say the home will be Ofsted regulated, with regular visits from a therapist and occasional social worker visits too.

Submitted to the council this week, the plans say there is currently a 'national shortage' of such institutions which is resulting in vulnerable youngsters being put at risk.

It reads: "The national shortage of children’s homes and suitable accommodation has been well documented recently. Various sources have quoted on what is a national crisis where the most vulnerable in society ‘continue to be put at risk.’

"Instances include placements of vulnerable children into hotels and bed and breakfasts and relocating them to locations hundreds of miles away, putting their safeguarding at risk."

The full proposal states: "The application property is a four-bedroom semi-detached dwelling. There are three bedrooms, 1 bathroom and one bedroom with en-suite on the first floor. Three of the bedrooms will be used to accommodate the children, while the fourth bedroom will serve as a Sensory Room.

"There will be Reception room/lounge, kitchen/Dining on the ground floor, Lounge/Dining room on the ground floor. Existing garage on the ground floor will be used as staff office/sleep over.

"The home would provide accommodation for up to three children aged 11 to 17 years old. The age range of the children will be 11-17 on admission. The children would be in full-time mainstream education, they would not be home-schooled. The children would be taken to school by an appropriate vehicle.

"There will be external visitors from time to time, but the home will endeavour to ensure that this doesn't exceed more than 1 at any given time. Statutory social work visits take place every 6 weeks but all other routine appointments will take place away from the property."

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Three of the bedrooms will be used to accommodate the children, while the fourth bedroom will serve as a Sensory Room.

They mean 'solitary confinement'.

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Conversion approved in spite of safety fears raised by those living nearby

Safety fears and concerns over increased noise have failed to derail a plan to convert a semi-detached house on a sleepy Stivichall street into a children’s home. The Dawlish Road property will house up to three children aged between ten and 17.

Members of Coventry City Council’s planning committee agreed Thursday (Sep 11) to approve the change of use which would also see the garage converted into a bedroom for one of two staff members present 24 hours of the day. The home will also incorporate a lounge, dining room and kitchen areas as well as outdoor amenity space.

A petition and 26 letters objecting to the plans were sent to the council. Peter Lawes was one of those who signed the petition and he questioned the logic of having a children’s home so far away from schools and amenities.

He said: “There are no amenities in the locality that will be of interest to children. The nearest secondary school, Meadow Park, is 35 minutes walk or 15 minutes drive away and this will discourage the children from making beneficial out-of-school friendships.

“This is a quiet road where many retired people are living happily. The imposition of a children’s home would fundamentally change the feeling of the community, making elderly people worried and anxious about leaving their homes during the day and certainly at night.”

Annette Maxted, whose property joins the planned home, added it was crucial that looked-after children were cared for in the right type of homes in the right location.

“I know from my own professional experience that the children are subject to outbursts of anger and aggressive and reckless behaviour,” she said. “This would have a significant impact on close neighbours especially us, sharing a party wall. There is no doubt in my mind that looked-after children deserve to be in detached properties that are more acceptable in our communities.”

Michelle Perry spoke in favour of the application and told the meeting that open house events would be held to build a level of trust between neighbours and those at the children’s home. That suggestion was supported by councillors who voted unanimously in favour of the plans.

Cllr John McNicholas said: “Normal family life is what this is all about. There seems to be a lot of fear generated with comments including ‘mental health problems’ and ‘complex trauma needs’. What we have to do is help these children to lead a normal family life. The applicant has said they will be looking to work with the community to be part of the community and I think it is important that we can offer, as a council, normal family life to vulnerable children.”

Cllr Kevin Maton added: “Children here will benefit more than many others because they will have adults around them who will show them the way to operate and how to function in society. The important thing is how the home operates and that will be down to lot of other agencies who will ensure that it is properly run in line with its licence.”