A new children’s home is due to open in St Helier next week amid an “effective crisis” in the number of beds available for young islanders in care.

Children’s Minister Richard Vibert told the States Assembly yesterday that two care homes are due to close – but will be replaced with two new “permanent” care facilities in St Helier.

“One home is still in operation, but it has to be returned to the hospital as part of the new hospital project,” he explained.

“And the other is no longer in operation as we didn’t get the necessary planning permission for that.

“Although I considered an appeal, I decided in the end that it was probably not worth pursuing that appeal.”

The Children’s Minister went on to outline plans to open two new homes in St Helier, which aim to provide a long-term solution for children in care.

“We are opening new homes,” he told the States Assembly.

“We have one new home that is opening in the next week in the Georgetown area. We have another one in St Helier opening – and these are permanent homes.

“Unlike the others, where we had short-term leases from the Government, these will be permanent homes and a much more stable situation.”

These will be permanent homes and a much more stable situation

children’s minister richard vibert

It comes amid what Constable Vibert described as an “effective crisis” in the number of beds available for children in care in Jersey – with some young islanders having to be temporarily placed in the UK.

“There are many vulnerable children in our island,” he said, adding that the “lack of housing and foster carers” meant that some children who should be taken into care were not able to be housed locally at the moment.

“But I must say, where there are concerns, then we will immediately act in respect of vulnerable children,” he added.

Constable Vibert added that, because of a shortage of foster carers in Jersey, the Government had to rely more heavily on residential homes for children, which are recognised as “not as good” as family-based placements.

“We are increasing the number of homes,” he said. “However, foster carers are the better option.

“I maintain my commitment to try and increase the number of foster carers in Jersey.”

Almost £12m has been set aside to fund new and improved residential care facilities for the island’s looked-after children – dubbed the ‘Loving Homes Estate’ – in the government’s proposed Budget.

And planning permission has been received to change the three-bedroom staff accommodation Oakside House at Greenfields into an emergency refuge unit which could house up to two children and one carer.