Statement from Social Services Minister on Glenmore Children’s home

Social Services Minister, Michael McGimpsey said today that reports that Glenmore House Children’s home in Lisburn was closing were not true.

In fact, the intention is for this facility to be turned into a much-needed respite and residential facility for children with learning disability, autism and other complex needs.

The Minister said: “I am extremely disappointed that such a good news story on modernising and improving children’s services has been portrayed in such a negative way.

“There is no doubt that Glenmore Children’s home has provided excellent care and accommodation for children in care for many years. Indeed, young people who have resided in Glenmore have been full of praise for the support and the quality of the services they have received.

“The reality is that the South Eastern Trust has been very successful in its drive to introduce community-based alternatives to prevent children being taken into care. This has meant that they are able to provide support services to keep more children either at home or in foster care.

“As a result, the Trust has been able to change its services so that this facility can be used to benefit children with very complex needs. This includes children who had previously resided in Muckamore and who will now be able to receive care in their own community. This is in line with the Bamford recommendations and will ultimately bring significant benefits to children and their carers.”

There are now currently 350 foster places in the South Eastern Trust area, as well as eight intensive fostering places for those young people who need additional support to live in foster care.

Mr McGimpsey continued: “While residential care will be the first choice for some children, the majority of children prefer to stay at home or be in foster care. There will always be residential places for those children who need them.

“However, our focus must continue to be on providing the very best and most appropriate care for all our vulnerable children. Despite the fact that funding for our children’s services is far behind England, I believe that there has been significant progress in improving these services locally.

“I am committed to improving the way we deliver all our health and social care services within the limited funding I have available. Changes to the way we provide services to children will only take place if they are for the better. For anyone to publicly criticise improvements such as these without giving the full facts, is unhelpful and causes unnecessary public concern.”

Notes to editors:

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