Children could be 'vicious and brutal' says foster carer of home planned in village near Grantham
A foster carer opposing a children’s residential home says its residents could be “violent, disruptive, vicious and brutal”.
Concerns were voiced during a meeting of South Kesteven District Council’s planning committee.
However, members said such children need support and approved the application.
Martin Tweddle, of The Place Young People’s Company, sought to change the use of the Gate House on Frieston Heath Lane, near Caythorpe, into a home for four children with “complex needs” and who need the “therapeutic care and nurture” his company provides.
Councillor Penny Milnes told the meeting that other homes run by the company were rural farmhouses in the Vale of Belvoir and this site was too close to other residents. She added: “It’s an institution for children with severe problems.”
Roger Brook, of Caythorpe Parish Council, agreed the site was too close to other residents and said the home could harm children in the village. It could also create too much noise and disturbance, he added.
Foster carer Elspeth Fraser-Darling warned the children at the home need support but said they are “desperately angry” and cannot be restrained when they lose their temper.
She said: “The kneejerk reaction for these children is to lash out and run. These are children who have experienced rejection.
“They can also be violent, disruptive, vicious and brutal.”
Neighbour Irene Lawson said she feared the home would leave her “vulnerable” from the children “placed from foster parent breakdowns”.
However, Dawn McCafferty, who was selling her house to The Place, said she was appalled at the prejudice shown against young people in care.
She added: “Young children need a fresh start in life. The residents have clearly prejudged their behaviour without meeting the staff or children.”
For the applicant, Kerry Ford said the property was “a lovely family home” where its staff would be the family for the children and in a highly structured environment, they would be supervised at all times.
The children, she told the meeting, have suffered some form of significant trauma that has created an attachment disorder. The therapeutic care model helps them get over this trauma, to get back into society and to their foster carers or parents.
Council chairman Jacky Smith said she had seen how children in her village had benefited from therapy. She added: “They deserve all the support we can give them.”
Coun Ian Selby said: “These children need our support.”
However, Coun Charmaine Morgan said children at Sandon School, a special needs school in Grantham, had damaged neighbouring property by throwing more than 50 items over a fence, narrowly missing residents. She said 40 of the items were from one child.
Members all backed the application, apart from Coun Morgan, who abstained.