Neighbours delighted by youth care home closure (From Echo)

The little Darlings !!

Should have been knee capped.

I fail to see how this is hailed as a victory, when it's apparent that the council couldn't give a tuppeny **** for the neighbours, but only for the precious little criminals!

I do read right fear for safety at the top.

I read this as fears for the people in the home so that raise a lot of question if right

No one is suggesting that it's easy to live next to teenagers with behavioural problems, but the story here is not the "jubilant" residents, it's the fact that children were pulled from the home after two of them were attacked. The important question here is whether the attackers were disgruntled neighbors of the home. If so, this is utterly shameful behaviour that deserves attention. If not, it's still an example of the small-minded "not in my back yard" approach of people who want essential services to be provided, as long as it's somewhere else.

GCP wrote:
No one is suggesting that it's easy to live next to teenagers with behavioural problems, but the story here is not the "jubilant" residents, it's the fact that children were pulled from the home after two of them were attacked. The important question here is whether the attackers were disgruntled neighbors of the home. If so, this is utterly shameful behaviour that deserves attention. If not, it's still an example of the small-minded "not in my back yard" approach of people who want essential services to be provided, as long as it's somewhere else.

Absolutely agree. If the residents acted as vigilantes they have no right to celebrate and should be ashamed of themselves.

Was there any attempt by these residents to set up discussions with the home's management or even the young people to try and arrive at some form of modus vivendi or did they just start baying 'out?'

Like GCP I agree this is not an easy situation in any neighbourhood but where would people suggest young people in care live, on a prison island or something?

John the resonator wrote:

GCP wrote: No one is suggesting that it's easy to live next to teenagers with behavioural problems, but the story here is not the "jubilant" residents, it's the fact that children were pulled from the home after two of them were attacked. The important question here is whether the attackers were disgruntled neighbors of the home. If so, this is utterly shameful behaviour that deserves attention. If not, it's still an example of the small-minded "not in my back yard" approach of people who want essential services to be provided, as long as it's somewhere else.

Absolutely agree. If the residents acted as vigilantes they have no right to celebrate and should be ashamed of themselves. Was there any attempt by these residents to set up discussions with the home's management or even the young people to try and arrive at some form of modus vivendi or did they just start baying 'out?' Like GCP I agree this is not an easy situation in any neighbourhood but where would people suggest young people in care live, on a prison island or something?

I like your idea of a prison island.

I take it you are not being serious Nebs (or are you???)

Now Canvey has more youths to roam the streets and now an empty waste of a building! I live also oppersite a young care home and we had trouble for a while but with patience, they got the residents to respect their surroundings. strict guidelines or they are out.. and its worked so far!

John the resonator wrote:

GCP wrote: No one is suggesting that it's easy to live next to teenagers with behavioural problems, but the story here is not the "jubilant" residents, it's the fact that children were pulled from the home after two of them were attacked. The important question here is whether the attackers were disgruntled neighbors of the home. If so, this is utterly shameful behaviour that deserves attention. If not, it's still an example of the small-minded "not in my back yard" approach of people who want essential services to be provided, as long as it's somewhere else.

Absolutely agree. If the residents acted as vigilantes they have no right to celebrate and should be ashamed of themselves. Was there any attempt by these residents to set up discussions with the home's management or even the young people to try and arrive at some form of modus vivendi or did they just start baying 'out?' Like GCP I agree this is not an easy situation in any neighbourhood but where would people suggest young people in care live, on a prison island or something?

I agree with the 2 comments quoted above, & feel that the Echo should be able to report if it was suspected that disgruntled local residents posed the threat or if they were "associates" of the youngsters targeted in this way.

Troubled youngsters, especially those who have been in care, do need help & support, but I am not qualified to state exactly how this should be provided. Obviously, like any other citizen (or resident) of this country, if they break the law they deserve to be hit with the full force of the law.

He said: “It’s excellent news and a good example of how councillors and residents can work in partnership with the MP.

“We do need these homes, but we need to think more carefully about where we put them.”

Hmmm, I thought the only reason it closed was because 2 of the residents of the home were attacked in the street. What's disgraceful is that noone gave a toss about the residents who had their lives blighted by antisocial behaviour and it took these attacks to get something done.

How about the unauthorised home in London Road that was twice refused planning permission? They have had plenty of police attendance and kids screaming out on the street as they are being dragged back in. Last Saturday I was at work, my husband was at home in bed, at about 2am the police telephoned thinking the number was the children's home. We found out later that there was a "serious incident" at the home and an emergency call had been made, they were calling back to find out what was going on. Apparently the police are also looking into reports of criminal damage, to what we don't know. The planning application was under nursery care rules, whatever they are. These are not nursery age kids.

mindboggles wrote:
He said: “It’s excellent news and a good example of how councillors and residents can work in partnership with the MP.

“We do need these homes, but we need to think more carefully about where we put them.”

Hmmm, I thought the only reason it closed was because 2 of the residents of the home were attacked in the street. What's disgraceful is that noone gave a toss about the residents who had their lives blighted by antisocial behaviour and it took these attacks to get something done.

It's hard to see how the neighbors have been treated disgracefully. The fact is that these are services best provided in a residential setting. Sure, the behavior might have been inconvenient, but the "noise, nuisance and disruption" cited in the story hardly suggests criminal or violent behaviour. The point of homes like these is to help young people become productive and mature and not to write them off as the next generation of criminals. But as usual, small mindedness triumphs. Congrats, neighbors.

GCP wrote:

mindboggles wrote: He said: “It’s excellent news and a good example of how councillors and residents can work in partnership with the MP. “We do need these homes, but we need to think more carefully about where we put them.” Hmmm, I thought the only reason it closed was because 2 of the residents of the home were attacked in the street. What's disgraceful is that noone gave a toss about the residents who had their lives blighted by antisocial behaviour and it took these attacks to get something done.

It's hard to see how the neighbors have been treated disgracefully. The fact is that these are services best provided in a residential setting. Sure, the behavior might have been inconvenient, but the "noise, nuisance and disruption" cited in the story hardly suggests criminal or violent behaviour. The point of homes like these is to help young people become productive and mature and not to write them off as the next generation of criminals. But as usual, small mindedness triumphs. Congrats, neighbors.

If you've been following this story from the beginning months back, there has been more than "noise, nuisance and disruption" as this article says. There has been damage to property, stones thrown at passing cars and probably more. Believe me, it's no fun having to live with anti-social behaviour and can seriously blight your life if you're constantly worrying about property damage and never getting any peace in your own home. There's nothing small minded about wanting security and peace at home. The neighbours were treated disgracefully because they were denied this and left to put up with nuisance behaviour. I'm sure there are non-residential areas for homes like this.

Nebs wrote:

John the resonator wrote:

GCP wrote: No one is suggesting that it's easy to live next to teenagers with behavioural problems, but the story here is not the "jubilant" residents, it's the fact that children were pulled from the home after two of them were attacked. The important question here is whether the attackers were disgruntled neighbors of the home. If so, this is utterly shameful behaviour that deserves attention. If not, it's still an example of the small-minded "not in my back yard" approach of people who want essential services to be provided, as long as it's somewhere else.

Absolutely agree. If the residents acted as vigilantes they have no right to celebrate and should be ashamed of themselves. Was there any attempt by these residents to set up discussions with the home's management or even the young people to try and arrive at some form of modus vivendi or did they just start baying 'out?' Like GCP I agree this is not an easy situation in any neighbourhood but where would people suggest young people in care live, on a prison island or something?

I like your idea of a prison island.

*confused*

Isn't Canvey ALREADY a 'prison island'..?

GCP wrote:

mindboggles wrote:
He said: “It’s excellent news and a good example of how councillors and residents can work in partnership with the MP.

“We do need these homes, but we need to think more carefully about where we put them.”

Hmmm, I thought the only reason it closed was because 2 of the residents of the home were attacked in the street. What's disgraceful is that noone gave a toss about the residents who had their lives blighted by antisocial behaviour and it took these attacks to get something done.

It's hard to see how the neighbors have been treated disgracefully. The fact is that these are services best provided in a residential setting. Sure, the behavior might have been inconvenient, but the "noise, nuisance and disruption" cited in the story hardly suggests criminal or violent behaviour. The point of homes like these is to help young people become productive and mature and not to write them off as the next generation of criminals. But as usual, small mindedness triumphs. Congrats, neighbors.

Perhaps, before you pontificate on what you believe the 'point of these homes' to be, you should read up on what goes on in them. From someone who works in one:

http://winstonsmith3
3.blogspot.com/

GCP and John the Resonator
You obviously have no idea what these "care" homes are about or what its like to be have them landed on you.

The "little darlings" in them wreak havoc locally. They are not local children - they are from other areas. Each of them bring their own unique slant of anti-social behaviour to add to the yobbish behaviour which already exists. There are fights inside and outside these "homes", things set alight, abuse, damage to property, neighbours lives generally made a misery. The kids themselves seem to be allowed to run riot, from what I've seen they don't get any preparation for life or guidance to integrate into society.
I'm **** certain if you spent just one day living near them you wouldn't want them in your back yard either.
The only people who benefit from these places are the owners who get huge amounts of money from Local Authority Social Services. They don't do anything to try to integrate with neighbours or recompense them for damage done - nor do they seem to be doing much for the kids.
These "care" homes are not providing nurture or guidance - they're businesses making money.
People who really have the children's welfare at heart usually foster or adopt them. (Which has a lot less money attahced to it)

whataday I saw your post rather late and the story has probably gone off the boil by now.

With respect for your views though, I would like though to comment on some of your points:

Your statement that "I obviously have no idea what these "care" homes are about or what its like to be have them landed on you." For your information I have just retired from almost 40 years in social work with the full range of children and families work, including residential care, secure accommodation, youth courts etc. etc. If you think it is "obvious" I learned nothing in that time, you are entitled to your view but I would beg to differ.

You are right about the businesses involved in residential care making a lot of money. Social workers too are deeply uncomfortable with this and it tends to be against their principles but Local Authorities have closed down their own resources and sold off the sites, leaving social workers with no choice but to use these organisations.

You mention fostering and adoption. For whatever reason these young people are well past the point of there being a queue around the block of families wanting to take them in. Such truly exceptional people do exist and I stand in admiration of them but they are rare.

I don't for one minute pretend this will be a picnic but alienating troubled young people further from society will, in my view create even further problems. Let's not forget a lot of these young people landed in care because they were abused, had parents subject to addictions or mental health problems or who in some way neglected their children. I do not condone anti-social behaviour but I am wondering what I would have been like had I undergone their childhood experiences.