northerncare, because every child is individual.

Having recently celebrated our 10 year anniversary, northerncare are pleased to continue with our expansion programme which will see four new homes opening in the next few months. The expansion bucks the recent trend that has seen other businesses scale back operations and is focused on the long-term future of the company.

northerncare are opening homes in response to requests from our Local Authority partners for us to provide a more local provision, but we continue to welcome referrals from all placement teams, for young men and women who would benefit from an out of Authority or an out of city placement.

Jasmine Court, based in Coventry, is set to open next month, representing the final home to be opened as part of the escalator model for placements under our ten year contract with Coventry City Council. This home will provide residential care for up to four girls with emotional, social and/or behavioural difficulties.

Other homes to be opened before the end of the year include Knowlton House in Congleton, a six-bedded home for boys with ESBD, and Ashfern House in Colchester, which is a six-bedded home for young women. The latter home is part of our expansion plans for the south of the country, following the opening of our homes in Thetford and Portishead.

We also look forward to opening The Bridges, a four-bedded specialist Assessment Centre, scheduled for opening early next year.

In addition, a further 3 new homes have been identified to be opened during 2010.

northerncare work closely with our Local Authority partners to develop new services to meet their needs. We welcome enquiries from Local Authorities regarding our current and future plans for new homes and would, of course, be pleased to discuss providing new provision within new areas.

northerncare offer services to children and young people aged 5 to 18 on admission with a variety of needs. If you would like to make a referral to our new homes or to any of our other homes, please contact Tony Wood, Placements Manager, on freephone 0800 040 7870 or by email at tony.wood@northern-care.co.uk