New home for autistic children

A new £1.2m specialist home for children with autism is to be built in Northampton.

The Northants County Council community home will be built on a site in Manning Road to give round-the-clock care for six children from across the county.

The building, for children not able to live at home, has a kitchen, dining and lounge facilities, bathroom, resident and staff sleeping accommodation.

It will also include an activity room, along with a purpose-designed garden.

'Excellent facilities'

It will be home to those children whose complex needs mean they can no longer live with their parents or guardians.

Cabinet member for children and young people councillor Joan Kirkbride said: "This newly built community home will provide excellent facilities for these children and help them prepare for adult life.

"It has been designed with the needs of these children in mind and will have state-of-the-art equipment and facilities to give these children the best support and opportunity for development in a friendly and homely environment."

The development should be completed by March 2008.