Plans for house to become ‘non-institutional’ children’s care home on Peterborough street
Plans have been submitted for a house in Peterborough to be converted into a children’s care home.
Triple Homes Ltd, an independent organisation led by social care professionals, wants to provide residential accommodation for up to two children at 88 Sycamore Avenue.
If plans are approved, the semi-detached house would be free to be used as a care facility with the children aged between seven and 17 years old.
The company’s planning statement reads: “We aim to create a safe, nurturing and non-institutional environment. The property will feel like a home, not a care facility.
“Each child will have their own private bedroom, fully furnished to a high standard, with ample storage for personal belongings and a desk to support their educational needs.”
The care home would allow the children to access local schools, healthcare, recreational facilities and social networks according to the proposals.
It would operate under the stringent regulatory framework of Ofsted, ensuring the highest standards of care, welfare and safeguarding were maintained at all times.
All staff would be fully qualified, DBS checked and trained in child protection.
The home would be staffed 24 hours a day by two care professionals working in 12-hour shifts (8am to 8pm and 8pm to 8am).
During the night shift, one member of staff would be on a ‘sleep-in’ duty, while the second would be on a ‘waking night’ shift.
A staff rota would be implemented to ensure minimal traffic and that staff handovers occur with only one team change at a time.
The planning statement adds: “The proposed change of use of 88 Sycamore Avenue, a C3 dwelling house to a C2 Children’s Home represents a vital and sustainable development that will provide essential care and support for vulnerable looked-after children within Peterborough.
“The proposal fully aligns with national and local planning policies, and a comprehensive assessment confirms that it will not result in any unacceptable adverse impacts on residential amenity, highway safety or the character of the area.”
Planning officers will make a decision on the application at a later date.