Specialist residential school planned for Borders

A school offering day and residential provision has been proposed for the Borders

Social work bosses have been given the green light to push ahead with plans for a residential school for children with severe and complex needs in the Borders.

The plans agreed by councillors also include constructing six new properties to provide residential care for young people aged 10 to 21.

The proposals are being supported by The Vardy Foundation, a charity set up by businessman Sir Peter Vardy.

The plans are part of Scottish Borders Council's (SBC) strategy to end reliance on placing young people in care placements outside the local authority's area.

Last year, 72 children and young people were on out-of-care placements at an annual cost of £17m. SBC has since managed to reduce the cost to about £13m.

The proposals are in the early stages, and there are no details yet on possible locations.

A full business case is expected to be presented to councillors later this month.

Under the plans a specialist day and residential school would be built for children with social, emotional and behavioural needs, autism, and severe and complex needs.

The site would provide education, respite and residential care.

Also planned are three four-bed homes to provide residential care for young people aged 10 to 21 years old.

A six-bed unit with concierge support has also been proposed.

SBC said this provision would offer transitional, semi-independent accommodation for young people over the age of 16 who were leaving care, and for unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

Two bungalows planned would offer specialist provision for young people with complex needs, including learning disabilities and high support requirements.

In a report, SBC said further stages of provision could be developed in the future.