Plan to turn Kingstanding family homes into children's care home

A planning proposal has been submitted to convert semi-detached properties on Aylesbury Crescent in Kingstanding into a care home

A planning application has been submitted to convert houses into a care home for children with difficulties. Small Steps Children Home group wants to turn a pair of semi-detached properties on Aylesbury Crescent in Kingstanding into a facility for five 'challenged' young people, up to the age of 18.

It would include children and young people who are victims of trauma, suffering with low self-esteem or lack confidence, emotionally or behaviourally challenged or have moderate to severe learning difficulties/disability including autism and associated disorder. They may have been victims of abuse or domestic violence or have history mental health problems.

The residents would be homed for either short, medium or long term periods

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There would be individual double furnished rooms, internet and ICT facilities, a kitchen to cook meals fresh, a bright dining area with comfortable seating up to six people where we eat our meals

There would also be a comfortable lounge furnished to a high standard and a further WC for use by staff and visitors downstairs. The design stated: "There is a tranquil garden which gives the opportunity for relaxation, reflection and leisure."

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Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

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A statement said: "SSCH are two semi-detached properties able to cater for up to five children and young people aged between birth to 18 of either gender for short, medium or long term placements. There is an office in both buildings which serves the administrative needs of the home.

"This arrangement was carefully planned in order that staff (and any other professionals) could carry out their duties in ways that gives rise to as little impact as possible on the children and young people accommodated in the homes."

The application will go before Birmingham City Council planners in the near future.