Hi,

 I was wondering if anyone can help. I am currently looking into setting up a childrens respite home, possibly 5-10 beds providing after school, night care, and holiday care for children and young people 5-17 with special needs. I am finding it very difficult to find out anthing re the legal side of setting up somewhere, planning permission, change of use etc and about who to register with. Is there any usefull links about or has anyone had experience of this themselves and can offer any advice.

My partner has worked in the care sector for 10 years now and it is something he has thought about doing for a while.

Any thoughts would be most helpful.

Corrinne

the only real 'need' for a children's home these days is for adolecents beyond parental control. Foster carers are becoming more and more professional/experienced/trained so as to reduce the need for childrens homes.

 in the case of children with disabilities, i dont know if it is any different.

In my experience, homes are closing rather than opening.

Your LA should help you with this information as they will be obliged to inspect the property under many different rules.

 Occupational therapy department might point you in the right direction also.

 If not get in touch with any local charities or like minded organisations in the area they will give you a better idea of what is needed, where and how to go about it. God knows the LA 's are closing down a lot of respite care facilities (at least in my LA anyway) the parents are just left to cope.