Wigan care home children "stigmatised by disgusting comments" to council meeting

Plans to change the use of a dwelling into a children’s residential care home in Wigan led to debate and conversation which “stigmatised” children in care, a planning committee heard.
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Wigan Council approved the application for the semi-detached home on St Andrew’s Drive, Springfield, after discussions suggested the two child residents would create excess noise and trouble in the area.

Coun Kath Houlton took issue with the possibility of noise and questioned whether there was sufficient soundproofing in order to avoid residents’ being disturbed. She also raised concerns over staffing and whether two staff members would be able to deal with a fight if it were to break out.

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“We understand that some of the children staying in this accommodation will have special requirements, so will there be soundproofing to protect other residents?” Coun Houlton asked.

Wigan Town HallWigan Town Hall
Wigan Town Hall

The officer explained that this house would run like any other household and that soundproofing was not something that he deemed to be a planning matter.

Couns Jim Ellis and Stuart Gerrard also shared their concerns for the potential for the disturbances of the home to neighbouring residents.

Numerous letters of objection also suggested that this may also cause a rise in anti-social behaviour.

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Coun Jeanette Prescott addressed the assumption made in the chamber as stigmatisation and that judgements of the children should not be made.

“Today I feel they have been stigmatised and I am disgusted by some of the comments made,” she said.

“They are already being stigmatised and I think we all have the responsibility to be giving them the best chance.

“For that reason we need to stop stigmatising children that have no choice in the matter.”

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Questions were also raised of the applicant Panacea and its qualifications, which is a newly formed company, but those concerns were quashed by its representative who explained that many of the staff have decades of experience in the industry.

“The applicant, Panacea, intends to use the unit for the care of children,” the officers report said.

“The property will be managed as a “dual home”, with two young people residing in the property at any time.

“The age of the children will be between six and 18. The staff will consist of a qualified children’s nurse, health visitor, a senior regional residential operations manager with over 15 years’ experience in the provision of therapeutic children’s services across multiple homes and experienced property management, development and building services colleagues as well as extensive company experience ensuring quality, well-supervised and maintained properties, compliance, financial and health and safety accountability.

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“It is anticipated that the house will provide a safe, loving and supportive home for up to two children or young adults.

“Each child will have individual care plans that support them in the best possible way to achieve their goals.

“The aim is to create a home that mirrors a family home as much as is possible within the constraints that each child requires ongoing care, meaning they are not at the present time able to be placed within foster care.

“The home will look like any other home on the street, will be highly maintained, comfortable, and equipped and provide a loving, caring and safe environment for the children.”

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The application was approved with only two votes against from Couns Houlton and Ellis.

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