Former care home converted to specialist school

A former care home is set to be converted into a specialist school and two children’s homes for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Work has started on converting Charlton House, a deregistered Bath & North East Somerset Council care home in Keynsham, into a 30-place specialist school for children and young people aged 11 to 18 with complex needs, including autism and social, emotional and mental health needs. Two separate children’s homes, each providing a home for up to four children, will also be created.

Paul May, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Starting work at Charlton House is an important step towards providing more specialist education and care closer to home for children and young people here in Bath and North East Somerset.

“We want children with complex needs to be able to receive the right support close to their families, friends and local communities. The new school and children’s homes will provide a safe and welcoming environment where children and young people can learn, develop their independence and thrive."

Beard, the contractor on the Charlton House site, will be carrying out a six-week programme of enabling works to prepare the site for the main construction works which begin in late November.

The scheme is part of Bath & North East Somerset Council’s wider work to reduce reliance on placements outside the area. A new SEND resource base at Mulberry Park Primary School currently under construction will support up to 10 pupils and a new single-storey resource base in Keynsham, for which planning permission has been applied, will provide up to 20 local places for young people aged 11-19.