VULNERABLE young people will be getting the support they need to turn their lives around in a new home.
Swansea Council’s children’s services residential care team could soon be starting the search for a new residential home for some of the most vulnerable young people in the city’s communities.
A report to Swansea Council’s Cabinet highlights how reconfigured services for emergency and short-term residential care for troubled youngsters has helped support them get past the crisis in their lives.
The current home at Ty Nant in the north of the city is no longer suitable for looked-after children who need residential support and Cabinet is being asked on June 18 to allow the search for a new site to begin.
Part of the reason why the current home is no longer needed is because of the way Swansea Council has transformed children’s services. Nowadays social workers focus more on families’ strengths, supporting them to prevent family breakdown whenever possible so fewer children have to become looked after by the council.
This approach, called ‘Signs of Safety’, is becoming increasingly successful.
Cllr Christine Richards, Cabinet Member for Services for Children and Young People, said staff at Ty Nant provide the best possible care for troubled young people.
She said: “What shines through from the staff at Ty Nant is the really valuable work that’s being done to support the children who are placed there on an emergency basis. Excellent support at the right time can help these young people turn their lives around.
“But what’s equally obvious is that it’s far too big for the service it provides and, more importantly, the building itself lacks the homely feel children need and deserve.
“The Care and Social Services Inspectorate for Wales agrees with us that the Ty Nant site is no longer a fit for its intended purpose.
“It’s become clear the time is right to find a smaller home that is fit for purpose and homely to allow us to continue to improve the outcomes for our vulnerable young people.”
If Cabinet agrees to the report proposals, it’s expected the costs of the change would be recouped in around two years including, if necessary, the purchase of a new building.
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