Hackney Homes for Hackney Children

The former caretaker's home at Ann Tayler Children’s Centre is a small, detached 3 bedroom home. Our plans involve very minimal change to the internal layout and instead concentrate on renovating the building and undertaking some external landscape e.g. to make sure it is fully accessible.

Aerial view of the site

Site location plan

Existing floor plans and elevations

Proposed floor plans and elevations

The property in Firsby Road is a large residential home. Our plans involve creating a small, single storey extension at the back of the property in order to create more living space on the ground floor and renovating the property throughout. 

Aerial view of the site

Site location plan

Existing floor plans

Existing elevations

Proposed floor plans

Proposed elevations

Q: Why do we need more children’s homes in Hackney?
A: At any one time, there are between 360 and 400 children in the care of the Council, as - for a wide range of reasons - sadly are not able to live with their parents or family in an alternative arrangement. Our preferred option for children in care is to live in family settings - with one of our fantastic foster carers - but for a small proportion of our children in care, their needs are such that they would be best met in a children’s home. Wherever it is safe for them to do so, we try to find homes for Hackney children in care in or around Hackney. Unfortunately, it can often be challenging to find the right residential home for a child and this can result in them having to live outside of London and occasionally, hundreds of miles away.

Q: What is the timeline for the project?
A: We hope to submit a formal planning application for the buildings to operate as children’s homes in spring 2025. If and when planning approval is gained, we will undertake a procurement process for a contractor to do the refurbishment. The earliest start on site is expected to be late 2025. We are planning to work with a partner provider to help run the children’s homes. The procurement process for this is due to start in Spring 2025. Once this is completed, the provider will have to apply to register with Ofsted, which is a process that can take a number of months. We anticipate the new homes to be operational from 2026.

Q: How many children will live in the homes and what age will they be?
A: We are designing small homes that will integrate into their local communities. The very best children’s homes look and feel like any other child’s home. The home by Ann Tayler will have up to 2 children living there and the home by Oldhill School will have up to 4 children. It is anticipated that most children living in either home will be between the ages of 10 and 17.

Q: Will there be any additional security measures at the buildings?
A: Each home will have staff on site 24/7. The homes will also have CCTV systems covering their entrances, for additional security.

Q: Where will staff working at the children’s homes park?
A: As Hackney Council is committed to doing everything in our power to deliver net zero emissions across Council functions by 2040, we would encourage staff working at and children living in the homes to walk, cycle or use public transport for their journeys wherever possible. Where needed, for example, with respect to visitors who are unable to use public transport, short term resident parking options will be utilised.