Plans unveiled for Wigan children's home

Invigor Adolescent Care has lodged proposals to use 397 Bolton Road, Ashton as a children’s home.

In the submitted plans a statement by Invigor said it is “clearly essential” to create the right care setting for children who have suffered a difficult background.

Invigor provides residential care and accommodation to young people with complex social emotional and behavioural difficulties up to the age of 17.

The statement said: “The idea is to provide as close as possible, a family environment, with the carers providing the parental guidance which has been so lacking in their early years.

“The small family home that it plans to set up will provide the safety and security needed for the specialist care the children require.

“Care is needed to overcome their early childhood trauma and hopefully build their self-esteem and skills to have the same life opportunities as non-institutionalised children.

“This is done by providing small family units where residential carers help them develop the social and life skills they will need when they no longer live with an institution.

“Without such homes and positive interventions, these children when they leave the controlled environment of care homes will often end up in adult institutions, suffering from long-term health problems.”

Three children would live at the house, with two carers working on a rota basis sleeping overnight (two days on and two days off),

A manager would be on site during weekdays from 9am to 5pm, while there would be the occasional visit by a social worker or clinician.

The purpose of the home would be to support children to build their confidence and and help them in developing life skills and re-engaging them into education.

During the day it is expected that all the young people would engage in various activities, attend DfES registered school, attend mainstream school or possibly receive home schooling.

Addressing the issue of crime and anti-social behaviour, the statement said there is no evidence to conclude that this would be a big issue at the home.

In terms of parking, it said that the activity and freqency of staff changes will not result in a significant number of visitors and vehicular movements.

It added: “If the property was to remain as family home occupiers could have the use of more than two vehicles, if they have adult children for example and this would itself impact on the on street parking available. The local authority is therefore respectfully requested to support the application to allow this important facility to be provided.”

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