Gloucestershire County Council has today awarded a contract worth up to £13m over seven years, to Homes2Inspire, part of Shaw Trust, to deliver ground-breaking specialist support at Trevone House, Gloucester – the first facility of its kind in the country.
Last year, the county council’s cabinet approved an investment of £2.5million into Trevone House to transform it into semi-independent accommodation which with Home2Inspire now on board, means this pioneering project will soon be supporting vulnerable young people with specialist support and services they need as they head into adulthood and find their independence.
Trevone House will include support services, as well as accommodation for 19 young people to have their own semi- independent flat. There will also be a well-being suite, which offers young people a place of safety and calm along with two specialist flats for young people needing additional support with their mental health needs.
The brand-new development has been designed and developed with the needs of Gloucestershire’s young people at its heart. To do this effectively, the council has worked closely with two of its young ambassadors, who have experience of living in care. The ambassadors were also involved in creating the brief for the rigorous tender process, which saw Homes2inspire secure the contract.
The building works are due to be completed by the end of August 2020, with a planned launch later this year with the aspiration that the first young people will move in straight after the launch date. There have been local engagement events for the community to find out more about the development and works planned.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of Gloucestershire County Council said: “It is crucial that all children in the county have the best opportunity to thrive as they move into adulthood. This new way of working is unique in that not only is it one of a kind, but also through the way the service has been developed, working with our fantastic young ambassadors, whose input has been invaluable. This really exciting project has already received much national interest and I am delighted that Gloucestershire is leading the way on transforming support for our future generations.”
Cllr Richard Boyles, Cabinet member for children and young people said: “Since the planning stages of this project we have recognised the impact this new approach in Gloucestershire would have on the lives our young people in care. I have closely followed the Trevone House development and have visited the site to see the council’s vision come to life. The high standards we demanded are really taking shape and I can see that this will be a first-class home for future generations of children in care. Special thanks must go to our ambassadors for all their input and enthusiasm that has helped make this project such a success.”
Speaking about the opening of Trevone House, Shaw Trust’s Chief Executive, Chris Luck CB MBE, said: “This innovative project provides the wraparound needed to give care leavers the very best stepping stone to a brighter future in addition to providing specialist support to those needing help at a time of crisis, including improving mental wellbeing. This ground-breaking approach by Gloucestershire Children’s Services represents the very best in aspiration and practice. Shaw Trust is proud to be Gloucestershire’s partner in creating and delivering a service to beneficiaries that reflects our values, goals and experience in delivering care to young people; Trevone House has all the hallmarks to be the national model.”
The new facility based at Trevone House forms part of the council’s commitment to ensuring that vulnerable young people in the county get the support they need first time, as set out in Gloucestershire’s Sufficiency Strategy: ‘Right Placement, First Time’.