- Target:
- Portsmouth City Council
- Region:
- England
- Website:
- www.facebook.com
Just a week remains for people to make their feelings known to the city council on the future of Beechside Respite Care Unit, in Drayton.
The centre, in Havant Road, is staffed by specialists and offers a place for people aged 0-18 to stay overnight, giving parents and carers much needed rest and relaxation.
It also offers a one-to-one overnight care service, where 13 youngsters can stay.
But the city council is reviewing its future.
In the last year, 49 young people used Beechside, staying a total of 1,265 nights.
Portsmouth City Council, which spends £722,000 per year on the home - an average cost of £570 per child per night - says it will not make any decision until after October 1, when all questionnaires must be returned.
But in a report by, the council's head of children and young people's wellbeing, he said the centre did not 'provide good value for money'.
Alternatives being considered include modifying the centre, using private care firms to provide overnight stays, and building a new centre.
The council's strategic director for children's services, said: 'We're consulting with parents on their views about which services best meet their needs. It isn't an isolated review of Beechside, or a budget saving exercise, but a review of our support to families. We're committed to supporting families caring for children with significant needs. There are no plans to reduce the amount of money we spend on these services. Our plans will be driven by parents' views.'
We the undersigned call on Portsmouth City Council to reconsider the possible closure of Beechside Respite Unit. Just a week remains for people to make their feelings known to the city council on the future of Beechside Respite Care Unit, in Drayton.
The centre, in Havant Road, is staffed by specialists and offers a place for people aged 0-18 to stay overnight, giving parents and carers much needed rest and relaxation. It also offers a one-to-one overnight care service, where 13 youngsters can stay. But the city council is reviewing its future. In the last year, 49 young people used Beechside, staying a total of 1,265 nights.
In a report by, the council's head of children and young people's wellbeing, he said the centre did not 'provide good value for money'. Alternatives being considered include modifying the centre, using private care firms to provide overnight stays, and building a new centre. It isn't an isolated review of Beechside, or a budget saving exercise, but a review of our support to families. We're committed to supporting families caring for children with significant needs.
There are no plans to reduce the amount of money we spend on these services. Our plans will be driven by parents 'views.'
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The No to closure of Beechside Respite Unit petition to Portsmouth City Council was written by jeanette Hawkins and is in the category Children's Rights at GoPetition.