The Warrington Borough Council cabinet approved plans on February 18, 2026, to build two new children’s homes in Fearnhead, Cheshire. These purpose-built homes are designed to keep children with complex needs within their own community rather than sending them to facilities far away from their schools and families.
The move is expected to save the council £1.04 million over three years by cutting down on the use of expensive private care providers. According to council leaders, the average price of a residential place for a child in care has risen by 77 per cent since 2020.
Work on the two-bed properties is set to begin in May 2026. The project is being funded through a 50-50 split between the council and the Department for Education.
This project comes at a time when the council is facing significant financial pressure. A council tax increase of 7.48 per cent has been proposed for April 2026 to help address a large budget gap.
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