An important milestone has been reached in the council’s project to increase the number of homes for children in its care being able to live in our own community.
In addition to the purchase of three houses, which will provide support and stability for young people in need, the council has appointed Phoenix Learning and Care Group as a partner to operate and staff them.
Phoenix has outstanding experience in providing qualified and compassionate team members, who will work with young people in these homes.
The new homes will help the council provide support to more children, who cannot live with their families for various reasons, giving them a stable home and appropriate help, when they need it and where they need it, in order to get the best start in life.
We know that if children from South Gloucestershire who need our support can stay living locally, they will have much better outcomes, because they can maintain links with their family, friends, school and other services they receive.
The council acts as Corporate Parents to a number of children, and has a responsibility to support them in much the same way as any other family. There have not been enough places for them to stay and be supported locally, meaning that too often they can be placed a long way away from their communities. This can cause major disruption to their education, support networks and family connections. The new homes will allow more of these children to remain close to their own areas.
The three properties are all pre-existing family houses, and their appearance won’t change. Each house will be for up to three children, aged between 7-17 years old. They will be nurturing, warm, welcoming spaces, with typically two or three team members present at any time.
The support model we will follow, working with Phoenix, is designed to give young people the closest experience as possible to anyone else’s family set-up. Neighbours will notice very little difference regardless of who will now live there.
The houses will be owned by the council, but managed by Phoenix, who will support children through trained carers, who will aim to give them the safe home environment which they may not have had in the past.
At the heart of Phoenix’s mission is a therapeutic approach designed to foster children’s emotional and psychological well-being. This approach is built on the principles of trauma-informed care, recognising the unique challenges and experiences that each child brings with them.
South Gloucestershire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, Cllr Simon Johnson, said: “As corporate parents for the children in our care, we want the same for them as any other parent. To provide a safe and supportive home, and to help these children to learn, to grow and to overcome any difficulties they face.
“These homes and our partnership with Phoenix will provide just that. We want to make sure that children from South Gloucestershire are able to grow up here. We know they will do better if their schooling, circles of friends and local connections are maintained, even if there are reasons they cannot live with their families for a time.
“These children are a valued part of our community, and we hope they will be welcomed as part of their new neighbourhoods when they move in next year.”
Jon Pain, CEO of Phoenix Learning and Care, said: “We are honoured to partner with South Gloucestershire Council in this vital initiative. At Phoenix, we believe that every young person deserves a stable and supportive environment to grow and thrive. By keeping these children in their local communities, we can provide continuity in their lives, which is crucial for their emotional and educational development. Our team is committed to offering the highest standard of care to help these children reach their full potential.”
Beth Beynon, Operations Director at Phoenix Learning and Care, said: “Our mission at Phoenix is to empower individuals through tailored support and education. Managing these new children’s homes in South Gloucestershire allows us to extend our reach and make a positive impact on the lives of more children. We are excited to work closely with the council and the local community to create a nurturing and inclusive environment for these children, helping them overcome any challenges and achieve their dreams.”
