26 October 2012
Six of Jersey’s looked after children are to be given a new home following the complete refurbishment of the former Les Chênes children’s home. The home will now be called Field View, a name chosen by the teenagers who will live there.
The young people, aged between 16 and 19 years old, will move from La Preference Children’s Home to Field View following the formal opening of the new home by Jersey’s Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl, on Friday 26 October.
The development of Field View, carried out by Jersey Property Holdings and local contractors, was one of the recommendations of the Williamson Report into providing supported care for young people in Jersey after the age of 18.
Life Skills programme
Over the past 18 months, an Independent Life Skills Programme has been led by the staff at La Preference Children's Home, to develop life skills for current residents. The programme has taught the young people how to budget, cook, plan menus and other skills which are vital when moving on to the wider community.
Field View has six bedrooms, all of which are en-suite. The building has been designed to give more of a bed-sit feel. The communal areas in the building consist of a lounge, dining room, kitchen and utility room.
The refurbishment, which took around seven months, cost £630,000.
Refurbishment
The refurbishment follows the re-opening of Brig y Don in June 2011, which is a residential home for younger children who are in the care of the States of Jersey. The building in St Clement underwent a major refurbishment funded by the States of Jersey at a cost of £650,000. Brig y Don offers residential care for up to 6 children in the main house, and 2 living independently in 2 separate units.
The head of children’s services at Health and Social Services, Phil Dennett, said "Brig y Don is a great example of what can be achieved in the modern world of care for looked after children, and we hope that Field View will also fulfil this objective. Much thought and planning has gone into creating a home for some of our older looked after children at Field View, and we have been working closely with them to make the transition from La Preference to Field View as smooth as possible.
"It is very important that all our looked after children have the right home environment, and teenagers who are in our care need different kinds of support as they get ready to live independently and start work."
Appropriate care
Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Anne Pryke, said "It is wonderful that this project, which will provide a lovely home for some of Jersey's older looked after children, is complete. The staff and residents have worked hard to make this move happen, and I and my team wish them every happiness in their new home.
"We see the role of Field View as an essential one. Finishing this major refurbishment project has been a high priority for us, and we are pleased that it will be used now to play such an important role in the future of the young people in our care.
"The opening of Field View as a new, modern facility emphasises what we want for the future - the very best, appropriate care for Jersey's children and young people."
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