Plans for children’s emergency accommodation approved

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.”