Racecourse Road home is to close

The decision was taken on Monday, April 7 as part of the reconfiguration of resources to further develop and enhance children’s services in line with reform plan.

The recommendation to close followed a 12-week public consultation process that ended on January 29.

The Trust proposed the closure and reconfiguration to enhance foster care services, particularly for the recruitment of additional specialist foster carers for young people as an alternative to residential child care.

Kieran Downey, Western Trust Director of Women and Children’s Services and Executive Director of Social Work thanked those who responded to the consultation.

“The Trust takes its responsibility as a corporate parent very seriously and makes every effort to ensure that our looked after children and young people have safety, security and stability and that they grow up healthy and happy,” he said.

“It is important that we are able to respond flexibly and sensitively to the changing profile of needs and use all our available resources to best effect.

“This new service model will not only enhance foster care services but it will allow the Trust to provide additional intensive support to foster carers and where possible to ensure that children and young people can continue to be cared for within a family setting in preparation for adulthood.”