'Shut children's home', say neighbours

People in Lockleaze complain about a children's home

People on a Bristol housing estate are calling for a children's home to be closed down.

They complain of lax supervision at the home in Romney Avenue, Lockleaze.

They say children are out until the early hours and they are unruly.

Councillor Sean Emmett, who represents Lockleaze, said up to 50 people attended a meeting about the home earlier this month.

The children coming into our homes are showing more challenging behaviour than we have ever experienced in social services

Councillor Jenny Smith

He said he shared concerns about supervision.

"It must be called into question because the number of complaints I have received has been considerable."

But he said the home could not be closed until an alternative had been found.

The home has been operating for 40 years.

"It's an established part of the community," said Councillor Emmett.

He said younger children had attended the home in the past.

"They have got involved in activities at the church and made friends with children of local families," he said.

Challenging behaviour"

Councillor Jenny Smith, who is responsible for children's homes, said: "We accept it is a problem.

"It's a case of proving whether they are responsible for everything that goes on - and they are not."

"The children coming into our homes are showing more challenging behaviour than we have ever experienced in social services.

"We have an increasing number of these children coming into our care.

Limited powers

"It's happening right across the country."

She said staff in city homes were receiving intensive training to tackle anti-social behaviour.

But she added: "Under legislation there are things that staff are not able to do. People must accept that.

"We must try to act towards these children as we would our own."