Strategic Partner to Operate 2 Residential Children’s Homes in Bath & North East Somerset - Charlton...

B&NES Council has embarked on an ambitious project to deliver 2, 4-bed children's homes for children aged between 11 and 18 who have autism and complex needs associated with social, emotional and mental health needs. The homes will be co-located with, but entirely separate from, a new 30-place special school which will be operated by a single/multi-academy trust. It is anticipated that many, if not all, of the children will attend the co-located school. A building for both the homes and the school has been identified in Keynsham, by utilising the closure of the care home Charlton House (post code BS31 1BF) which is under the ownership and management of the LA.

The programme to design and build the newly re-furbished, and bespoke, high-quality children’s homes is underway. A public consultation was completed before Christmas, and we have commenced the procurement process to appoint contractors.

B&NES Council is looking to commission a single provider to operate the two residential children’s homes, working as a close, strategic partner to ensure that public money is utilised to provide quality, outcome focused provision. The two homes will each offer accommodation for four children/young people, with sleep-in staff provision, living and support spaces and a house garden.

There is currently no SEND residential provision in B&NES that caters for our most complex and vulnerable children. Consultation with our parents and carers has highlighted the priority of bringing children closer to home and to their families. Many of the children in the residential homes will continue to have close contact and relationships with their families. By providing these homes in the local area, parents/carers can remain fully involved in all aspects of their child’s care for example attending all medical appointments, meetings in person etc.

Charlton House is also a five-minute walk away from the social care teams based at Keynsham. It is adjacent to a range of local amenities and activities allowing opportunities for socialisation and for engagement with the wider community. All of which will the improve safety and wellbeing of the children and young people and enhance preparation for adulthood.

Potential providers must already operate existing Ofsted Registered Residential Children's Homes to demonstrate their knowledge and competence of successfully achieving Ofsted Registration and delivering an Ofsted compliant service, and be able to demonstrate specialist experience, qualification and knowledge regarding the care of children and young people with Autism and complex needs.

In addition to the public consultation https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/charlton-house-homes-and-special-school, we have also held a number of market engagement events (presentations available with tender documentation).