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Police called to Halesowen children's home more than 60 times in seven months

Police were called to a Halesowen children's home 60 times in seven months.

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The children's home is in Mogul Lane, Cradley Heath. Photo: Google Maps

West Midlands Police is opposing an application for respective consent to convert a residential home in Cradley into a care facility for 16 to 18-year-olds after vulnerable youngsters have disappeared for days at a time

Officers say that youngsters who absconded were found as far away as Manchester.

In a submission to Dudley Council, police have outlined a series of problems and incidents since it opened in September last year.

It has been operating without planning permission and can only accommodate two young people at a time.

Asking councillors to reject planning permission, police said: “Local police and Dudley Council was not aware of this property due to being unregulated but only became aware due to the high calls of service to the police starting 30th September 2018.

“The children housed at this address are from outside the Dudley borough and housed via other councils from the West Midlands.

“The children who go missing from this address have been located in Liverpool and Manchester, issues have arisen with the care home not being able to retrieve them once located."

'No plan is present'

Saying officers have been called out 60 calls mainly to deal with children who are missing or reported absent, they also criticised the home's management, saying: “Due to the nature of the home, dealing with 16 to 18 year-olds who could have the potential to be vulnerable eg CSE, mental health issue or other high risk issues a management plan is essential.

“No management plan is present which would show the care homes procedures and policies, and the qualifications of the staff.

“From the amount of calls of service to the police the children at this home appear to spend more time missing than being at the home which is being paid for by the public purse.”

The application for the care home in Mogul Lane, is set to go before Dudley planning committee for a final decision in the coming months.

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