The directors of a recently established company called Care 4 Futures Northwest have applied to the council to turn a house on a cul-de-sac into a children’s home.
The house, in Pinewood Drive, Nelson, is currently a standard five-bedroomed property but if approved, would be turned into a residential home providing medium to long term placements for a maximum of three children between the ages of eight and 17 who have emotional and behavioural difficulties.
The application, lodged with Pendle Council last week, states the home will be staffed on a full-time, 24-hour rota basis, with two staff present day and night, and two managers in the home between the hours of 9am and 5pm.
The property will require no structural changes or additions and will operate in the same way as a traditional family setting.
A statement within the application reads: “It is our aim to assist the young people in the home to live fun and inclusive lives and become involved in the ethics of the local community, with the assistance of our extremely experienced and qualified staff team.
“The property is a very large and spacious five-bedroom detached property which provides ample space for their requirements.
“55 Pinewood Drive is at the end of a cul-de-sac and offers ample parking for the requirements of the day to day running of the home.
“The home will be strictly monitored and inspected by Ofsted and will also receive independent compliance visits on a monthly basis.
“The home will receive annual independent fire/health and safety risk assessments.”
The directors of Care 4 Futures Northwest Ltd, Daniel Connor and Nazreen Bi are currently employed in the child care sector, with Mr Connor employed as a deputy manager and Mrs Bi as an Ofsted registered manager of a residential children’s home.
An accompanying document lodged with the plans states that between the two applicants they have a combined childcare and specialised childcare experience of more than 23 years, and currently provide residential care for young people with emotional and behavioural difficulties and have “demonstrable skills and experience in this highly specialised sector”.
The supporting document, written by Mr Connor, reads: “Throughout our careers, Nazreen and I have managed to turn the lives of a number of vulnerable children around, enabling them to go on to support themselves and make a valuable contribution to society.
“Having carried out extensive research into the current required demand for this type of provision, our findings make it very clear that there is a national shortage of placements for young people in this sector.
“Over the years we have built a strong network of contacts and have an excellent working relationship with the Lancashire County Council Commissioner who is directly charged with funding the placements of every looked after child throughout Lancashire.
“He has informed us of the immediate need for new placements in the Lancashire/Northwest Area.
“Therefore, we will prioritise placing Lancashire children within our home.”
Care 4 Futures Northwest Ltd was registered with Companies House on August 22.
Anyone wishing to comment on the application should do so by December 21.
Share