Plans for children's home submitted
LDRSA proposal to change a house into a children's home is being considered by council planners.
Hexagon Care Services has asked Stockton Council for a certificate of lawfulness to change the use of a house on Hartburn Lane into an Ofsted-registered, two-bedroom children's home.
It will accommodate two children with a manager and up to two residential carers at a time, providing a "warm and nurturing family-style environment" under the plans.
The applicant said there would be no external changes to the building and little difference between the proposed use of the home and its current use, so planning permission was not required.
It is proposed to use the current six-bedroom detached property as a specialist home for the children who have learning disabilities, emotional difficulties and behavioural problems.
They would live there long-term and the house would be run like a family home to help them lead normal lives, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
LDRS"This is not a halfway house or emergency housing for children," the planning statement said, adding the children would undergo risk assessments before coming to the home.
"The purpose of the home would be to support the children to build their confidence, regulate their behaviours and emotions, help them in developing life skills and prepare for life when they leave the home to fend for themselves," the statement said.
Six carers would work a 24-hour shift pattern, with two working 48 hours and staying overnight and a manager visiting on week days.
Family members and friends may visit but these would be "no more frequent than those to a typical family," with little differences in comings and goings to its current use as a home, the statement said.