Council spends £1.5m on home for young people

Cornwall Council has spent almost £1.5m on adapting a barn complex

Cornwall Council has spent almost £1.5m buying and adapting a barn complex into a residential home for young people.

Cardinham Barns, near Bodmin, would be registered with Ofsted and have space for three disabled children, as well as young people with complex needs and behaviours.

The authority already has three other registered children's homes in Cornwall, one for residential short breaks and two for residential long-term care.

But a spokesperson said it had a "legal duty" to provide suitable care and support to disabled children and their families.

'Benefit young people'

"This development exemplifies our commitment to providing high quality and effective support to meet their needs," they added.

Cardinham Barns, which has cost £1.486m, has about six acres of land and gardens, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

“The setting has space for the children to be actively involved in outdoor pursuits, with support, which is helpful for those who have experienced trauma," the council said.

"It is also very tranquil, which will be of benefit to young people with autism in particular as they seek to develop communication and independent living skills."

The facility would look to offer young people a safe home before moving them to a permanent home or being reunited with family, the LDRS said.

Barbara Ellenbroek, the council's cabinet member for children and families, said they hoped to open the home as soon as possible.

"We can’t wait to get it up and running.”