Plans by Lancashire County Council to create 15 new children’s homes were prompted by the emergence of a “voracious” market for private placements that does not best serve the interests of vulnerable young people.That was the assessment of the authority’s cabinet member for children and families as she and her colleagues gave the go-ahead to what will amount to a doubling of the children’s residential facilities operated by County Hall.
County Cllr Townley added that while the authority had a “very good relationship” with private operators, it was” not a given” that a child in need of a placement would necessarily be accepted into one of their homes. Deputy Labour opposition group leader Lorriane Beavers welcomed the investment in council-run facilities.