Home plans put forward to support young people preparing to leave care
Councillors are set to discuss plans that would open new accommodation for young care experienced people that would give them the support to prepare for adult life.
Article date: July 8th 2025
The plans for semi-independent accommodation - Millersdale - in Clock Face, will be discussed by Cabinet next week. The development proposal has come forward following a placement review which highlighted the need for extra spaces locally for young people preparing for adult life.
Over the last 12 months St Helens Council has supported the reduction in the number of children and young people going into care. Despite this reduction St Helens has 441 young people accommodated and the Council has become reliant on out-of-borough placements, resulting in young people moving far from home.
Millersdale will support six young people aged 16yrs and older as they prepare for adulthood, providing them with local opportunities and local support to help them make a successful transition.
Following a successful bid for grant funding from the Department for Education for the Staying Put programme, the council identified the Clock Face site for the conversion to six trainer flats for care leavers.
Councillor Nova Charlton, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "This will be a crucial resource for care experienced young people which will let them live in their home borough, offering the opportunity to be part of the local economy and community. Our young people will be supported by a skilled and experienced staff team, working closely with the Futures team, to maximise aspiration and achievement.
"The young people we are looking to place at Millersdale may otherwise have lived in a home provided within the private sector at higher cost to the council and would often be living out of the borough, therefore being detached from their family, friends and their familiar surroundings. Millersdale will prepare our young people for a successful transition to independent living in their own home and will further enhance our services supporting young people as they leave care."
The plans will be discussed by Cabinet on Wednesday, 16 July at 4pm. Read the report here: Millersdale plans
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