Plan lodged for two council

Plans for two new council-run children's homes in Leicester have been submitted, with the aim of creating seven additional residential care places for young people with complex needs.

The scheme would increase the city's total number of children's home places to 47 and aims to reduce Leicester City Council's "reliance on costly out-of-area placements".

One home would be created by converting a council-owned property in Evington, while a second would be built on land in Enderby.

The £4.16m project is due to be considered by the city mayor on 16 October.

The council said demand for residential care had increased locally and nationally, partly because more children entering care have complex needs and require additional support to keep them safe.

Creating extra capacity would help more looked-after children remain close to their families, friends and communities while receiving specialist support, the authority said.

The proposals include spending £1.3m to convert the Evington property and £2.86m to develop the new home in Enderby using funding the council's capital budget and a £1.9m grant already secured from the Department for Education.

Assistant city mayor for children and young people Elaine Pantling said: "We're very lucky to have extremely dedicated, experienced staff who work in our children's homes in Leicester and a great track record of running our own homes, so it makes sense to bring more provision in-house."

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