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Falkirk Council Joint Housing and Social Work Committee has approved the use of four council properties as emergency accommodation for young people after the council admitted it had been forced to house young people in hotels due to a lack of places, writes Maggie Wood.

The social work department said it had had to use budget hotels to accommodate children, aged between 12 and 14, whose placements in residential or secure schools had broken down. 

Alan Boyd, head of children and families and criminal justice at Falkirk Council, said that on the rare occasion this facility had had to be used, it was for one night only during which the care needs of the child were assessed. Two members of staff were with each child at all times.

Boyd said these children had very difficult care histories and presented very disturbed and challenging behaviour. Difficulties arose when they could not be maintained in traditional care settings, he added.

Anne Houston, director of ChildLine Scotland, said: “It is extremely disappointing that a lack of resources has forced a local authority to use hotels instead of residential units.”