Controversial plans to create a residential family assessment home in a six-bedroom house are being opposed by many residents, councillors and a senior children’s services chief.
Applicant Yasin Ahmed has submitted a proposal to convert the large house, on Glendale Drive, Ladybridge, Bolton into a home to provides short term support to vulnerable parents with their children who would otherwise have their children removed from their care. Parents and their children would be placed at the centre where 24-hour support and monitoring via cctv and qualified support staff assist them to develop parenting skills.
Parents would get support from a qualified counsellor and are assessed by social workers on site. Over the course of 12-14 weeks the intention would be that a positive assessment will be provided to the court and children can remain in their parents’ care safely.
A joint statement from ward councillors Andy Morgan and Anne Galloway said the issue was ‘causing much concern on the estate’. They said: “We can reassure residents that we are fully aware of the strength of feeling of the community on the estate and are making representations on your behalf to the planning officers.
“If the officers’ report recommends approval, we have asked that the application comes before a planning committee of councillors for a final decision. “That meeting will be open to the public and a resident representative can make their case direct to the committee where it will be considered and debated.”
Bolton’s assistant director of children’s services, Ian Walker, has also made comments opposing the creation of the centre. In a document sent to planners, he said: “Bolton tries not to access such provisions because the assessment conclusions do not always manifest themselves into longer-term changes in family functioning and often just create a delay in legal proceedings and permanent outcomes for the child.
“They are often imposed on the authority by the courts, usually on the application of the guardian. “Even then we usually have no need than three such placements every year and this applications has capacity for 12 placements.
“As a result there is the likelihood of nine placements offered to other local authorities, not necessarily in the Greater Manchester area. “This is likely to place increased demand on local services such as GPs, A&E and other services.
READ MORE : Man who went missing days before Christmas found dead in Worsley Woods
“We would not endorse this application.” The application said there would be a zero tolerance drug and alcohol policy in place meaning any parents that are actively drinking or taking drugs would not be accepted to the centre.
The application, said: “Therefore the likelihood of disturbances within the local community are significantly reduced. “Additionally there are terms and conditions relating to a parents conduct in place which are agreed and signed prior to admission.
“Failure to adhere to the conduct agreement would result in either a warning or the ending of their placement which given the fact their children would then be removed from their care is something parents endeavour to avoid.”
Read more of today's top stories here
READ NEXT:
- Devastation as Salford Red Devils 'star of the future' Logan Holgate, 18, dies suddenly
- 'He's out cold': GMP officer shoves fan to the ground in footage outside Old Trafford
- Drugs gang caught red-handed with designer watches and thousands of pounds in cash
- Tragedy as NWAS paramedic and dad-of-two suddenly dies
Woman and two men arrested for attempted murder after Aldi car park stabbing
