Transforming Southfield House

This accommodation will support the council’s Sufficiency Strategy, ensuring children and young people in the county get the right home, first time and the chance of a flourishing future.

Why is this needed?

As at January 2022, Gloucestershire had 845 children in care and this number is increasing every year. It is our duty as the Local Authority to care for these children and find them appropriate homes. This includes foster homes, supported living, residential homes or a support package. There has been a large increase in demand for supported living homes such as semi-independent accommodation.

After considering a number of properties within the county, including other vacant older people’s homes, Southfield House was the only property that would accommodate all the elements required for this young people’s project.

Some properties were ruled out as they did not have the size and scope for such a development. Other potential options were not flexible enough to support the different needs of young people, as the layout of the buildings were not suitable and would have impacted upon the potential registration of the service.

We are building on the success of Trevone House, which was a former older people’s home in Gloucester which was renovated and the first young people moved in late 2020.
In September 2021, Trevone House was recognised for its ‘Innovation in Children Services’ by being Highly Commended at the MJ awards.

About the project

Once refurbished, Southfield House in Stroud will provide semi-independent accommodation, as well as other specialist services, that will help young people by giving them the support they need as they head into adulthood and find their independence. The project has been developed and will be delivered in partnership with Health, the Police and Education services, offering a joined up and integrated approach.
The building will host semi-independent accommodation for young people aged 16 plus including some young people needing mental health support. Southfield Old Building will also offer independent accommodation to our
older care experienced young people who are on an apprenticeship or in training.

To make sure the building is fit for purpose; the council will be investing £3.35 million for refurbishing and building work. We will be selecting a provider with a proven record of delivering good or outstanding services. The project will have a staffing team on duty 24/7 in both buildings, to support the young people.

Come and meet the team

We are planning a number of community engagement events, for local residents to come and hear more about the plans for Southfield House. Our partners will be there to talk about how we will be working together, as well as the design team, care experienced young people and Homes2Inspire which manages Trevone House. The sessions will be informal, so people can drop in at any time to find out more about the project, and ask any questions they may have.

Session dates:

11th May 2022 from 4.30 - 7.30pm
18th May 2022 from 4.30 - 7.30pm
1st June 2022 from 3.30 - 6.30pm

Address: The Citadel, Acre Street, Stroud, Gloucestershire, GL5 1DR

If you are not able to attend or would rather contact us via email, use our dedicated email address southfieldconsultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk and we will come back to you.

We would like your views

Please come along to one of the public meeting sessions (above) during the next few weeks. In the meantime, we would like to hear your views, so please email any comments to Southfieldconsultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk
We are unable to reply personally to emails but we will respond via updates on this web page.

Contact us 

To contact us, please email southfieldconsultation@gloucestershire.gov.uk.