Work has started on the site of a new residential home in Newport which will provide a high quality of specialist care for children and young people.

Welsh Government’s Integrated Care Fund awarded capital funding for the project which is supported by the Gwent Regional Parnership Board.

This will be the third home created in Newport as part of Project Perthyn, its ambitious programme to bring our children back to the city where they can receive better standards of care and be closer to their families.

When completed, the home will be able to provide appropriate accommodation for a small group of children and staff.

As well as young people from Newport, the home could be used by other councils in Gwent for their children with complex needs.

Councillor Paul Cockeram, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for social services, said: “Our first two children’s homes have been incredibly successful.

“As well as bringing children back to Newport from out-of-county and extremely expensive placements, some have been able to move back to live with their families after getting the right transitional support in the homes.

“We are very grateful to Welsh Government and ICF for helping us to provide the right care in the right place at the right time.”

The Minister for Housing and Local Government, Julie James, said: “It is vital children and young people with complex needs have access to high quality accommodation, care and support when they need it. This project is a fantastic example of collaborative working to enable vulnerable children the opportunity to receive all the support they need in the community and close to home. I look forward to the completion of the scheme”