A FORMER dementia care home in Yate is to be turned into supported housing for young people leaving care.

At today's South Gloucestershire’s Cabinet meeting, the decision was made for the repurposing of the Woodleaze care home in Station Road.

The council made the decision to close the care home back in September, because the building was no longer fit for purpose for residents.

A council spokesperson said: "The Woodleaze building is located in Yate and closed in January following a planned and managed closure which saw all the residents transferred to other homes.

"Staff also moved on to other opportunities.

"Cabinet considered a range of options at the meeting on what to do with the vacant site which included the proposal to convert the property into a supported living scheme for young people.

"That was the preferred option."

The authority has a statutory duty to support young people leaving care but a report to its cabinet says it struggles to find housing that is value for money. 

Councillor Jon Hunt, the executive member for children and young people, told Monday’s cabinet meeting: “There is the possibility that, instead of a capital receipt, we can look at it differently and provide something on that site that will be of great benefit to our residents.”

Yate Central representative Cllr Ruth Davis said: “I’m really pleased this has come up as the main option. 

“It’s really important that we support young people. These are people who haven’t had the best start in life, through no fault of their own – just bad luck. 

“It will mean young people who have been living in South Gloucestershire aren’t faced with moving to a completely new area. I think this is a good option.” 

She said after the meeting Woodleaze could house up to 20 young people close to the town centre, adding: “This is the only realistic alternative to the whole site being sold off for commercial housing, with all the extra pressure that would put on Yate’s existing services and roads.” 

Cllr Mike Drew (Yate North) said: “If the site was sold for housing that would put many more cars on already busy local roads.

“Using the existing building to support young people should mean fewer cars and less disruption for residents. 

“All options will soon go out for public consultation and we would encourage residents to make their views known.”

South Gloucestershire Council has a statutory duty to support care leavers ‘to the extent that their welfare and educational or training needs require it’.

As of April 1 they can ask for support up to the age of 25.