Plans have been lodged to convert a Stoke-on-Trent guest house into a children's care home. The proposed facility for up to three youngsters is earmarked for Victoria Guest House in Tunstall. The property, which has nine guest rooms, has most recently been used by Stoke-on-Trent Housing Solutions Service to provide temporary accommodation for families who are waiting on a more permanent home.
Retired early years Ofsted inspector Susan Wake is behind the plans. The care home would cater for children aged between 11 and 15 years-old with "emotional and behavioural difficulties (EBD) including learning disabilities". The change of use planning application, submitted to Stoke-on-Trent City Council by Knights on behalf of the applicant, states: "This range is broad as it enables the applicant to look at the individual young person and make an assessment of their needs and whether they can help them in one of their homes.
"The children that are chosen to reside in this property would be first subject to a risk assessment that would ensure that the children are grouped together in a complementary fashion in order to ensure that they can receive the most beneficial care and life experience whilst at the same time being mindful to minimise potential disruptions to local residents. "The applicant considers that such properties can offer a better environment than would be the case in larger institutions as they enable individual needs to be met and allow the children to integrate into t.
