A THIRD home for young people leaving care will be purchased in the county

A grant of £675,450 will be sought to purchase and redevelop a property in Monmouth to provide a “homely setting” for three care experienced young people with 24 hour support.

Monmouthshire County Council opened its first home for 16 to 21-year-olds leaving care in Caldicot in 2025 and a second is due to open shortly in Abergavenny. The third home will bring the total number of places available to 13.

This is in addition to a residential placement for children purchased two years ago in Monmouth

The council’s Labour and Green Party cabinet has agreed to purchase and refurbish the property, at an undisclosed location in Monmouth, which is expected to be fully funded by the Welsh Government grant.

Councillor Ian Chandler, who is responsible for social services, said the homes are intended to “assist the young people develop independent living skills and progress to accommodation with lower intensity support or independent accommodation. As corporate parents it is one of our most important responsibilities.”

The council agreed in April 2024 it would purchase or refurbish properties to use as small care homes, rather than continuing to rely on private providers for placements, which Cllr Chandler said has provided a cost saving and better experiences for young people.

As well as homes for those leaving care the council has also bought and set up four homes for younger children in its care, providing a total of 12 places.

The Green Party councillor told the cabinet: “The most important reason is not financial. When we purchased commercial placements we had little control over where children ended up, they were often placed out of county and sometimes even out of Wales.”

Cllr Chandler said the Monmouth purchase is expected to save the council £142,000 a year.