Aberdeenshire Council set to open two new children’s homes

Aberdeenshire Council has agreed plans to create two new children’s homes.

Following the decision at Full Council on Thursday (November 21) the homes will offer, at minimum, accommodation for an additional eight young people.

This will ensure young people can remain within their local community, close to family and friends, when they need to live away from home. 

The proposals aim to not only benefit children in residential care but save taxpayer’s money by cutting the cost of care outside of Aberdeenshire.

As of September, 25 young people from Aberdeenshire were living in residential care outside the local authority, with an estimated 12-14 of them potentially able to stay locally if more spaces were available. 

Head of Children’s Services Leigh Jolly said: “Residential care outwith the local authority means young people are placed at a distance from their family, friends and communities, and in much more expensive out of authority care provision.

“This is not the way we would wish to support our young people and so this project will make a real difference.

“Creating smaller homes allows young people to receive more intensive support and research indicates that smaller numbers with trauma-informed staff are more likely to lead to improved relationships and outcomes for our young people.”

The new homes will help address the gap, offering a more supportive and community-focused environment for those who would benefit from remaining in Aberdeenshire. 

The council currently has homes in Fraserburgh, Peterhead, and Inverurie.

The project is expected to result in significant long-term savings for the council. 

Based on current residential care costs, out-of-authority placements for eight young people would cost approximately £2 million per year. 

In contrast, the cost of running two new four-bed children’s homes is estimated at £1.5 million each year, creating an immediate potential saving of almost £500,000 each year. 

Over time, these savings will grow, with projections indicating a saving of £823,000 annually by 2030/31 once capital expenditure has been repaid.

Following agreement at Full Council, the first children’s home is expected to open by April 2026, with the second home following 18 months later, in October 2027. 

These homes will be created through the purchase and adaptation of properties from the open market to meet Care Inspectorate standards.

While council-owned properties were considered for repurposing, no suitable options were identified.

Education and Children’s Services Committee Chair Cllr David Keating said: “This is an example of a real win-win project for us. Developed by our officers, it will enable young people to stay closer to their families, communities, schools, and support networks. 

“This will improve their care and arguably life chances. But equally, at a time of great financial pressure on the council, the project, once it has repaid the borrowing required, will contribute to the cost savings we must achieve. Transformational whichever way you look at it.

“Whilst we recognise that out-of-area placements will still be needed sometimes, this project shows that Aberdeenshire Council is committed to improving care for young people, while rising to the challenge of creating a sustainable and affordable care system.”