The first of four new community-based children's homes set to open soon

Wiltshire Council has taken an innovative approach to helping children and young people in care remain in Wiltshire by creating four new community-based children's homes as part of a 10-year partnership with Horizon Care and Education Group.

The new homes will help to provide places for up to 12 children and young people, helping them to stay in Wiltshire, and near to local schools, friends and support networks. The first two homes are 50% match funded by Wiltshire Council and DfE while the third home is fully funded by Wiltshire Council and the fourth home is fully funded by Horizon Care and Education Group.

The first of these new homes, Phoenix Grove, will shortly be providing high-quality residential placements to young people in care.

The property will provide placements for up to four young people. It has been renovated to a high standard with a modern kitchen and dining area, lounge, games room with a pool table, and a large garden with a separate annex building for group activities and arts and crafts. There is also a trampoline, swing set and outdoor planters where young people can grow their own vegetables.

The homes will be operated by a private care provider, Horizon Care and Education Group. The second home, Lunar, is due to open later this year. The third and fourth property will be based in the south of the county.

Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, said: While we always try to place children in care with foster carers, for various reasons this is not always possible. In these situations, a children's home can provide a safe home where young people can feel secure and are close to their education, friends and communities.

The homes are a great example of how we are investing in services for young people to give them the best possible outcomes. It also demonstrates how we are investing in services to save money in the long term and safeguard our services for the future. By creating residential homes here in Wiltshire not only do we give young people the best possible setting in which to thrive, but we also save money on expensive private or out of county placements.

We are pleased to be working with Horizon Care and Education Group to deliver this exciting new approach to care in Wiltshire. These are our young people and we want them to continue to be within our communities.

Emma Carrington, Managing Director, Residential Services for Horizon Care and Education Group, said: We look forward to opening the first of four new, beautifully designed homes for young people. This important milestone will be a significant step forward in our partnership with Wiltshire Council to support young people with complex needs, allowing them to remain closer to local schools, friends, and essential support networks. We are also excited to share that we are nearing completion of our second home, which we look forward to opening soon. These homes represent our unwavering commitment to providing a nurturing environment where young people can thrive and feel truly at home.