Team Northern Start Work for Children in Need in Barrow

Cumbria County Council’s plans for a home for children and young people in its cares in Barrow took a huge leap forward today when contractors `Team Northern’ started work on the site at Hawthwaite.  The start had been delayed due to ecological protection issues.  

Bats were found as initial planning work got underway to transform the property into residential children’s unit for looked after children.  The find meant that the Council had to apply for DEFRA licences before work could begin.  David Askenden, Contracts Manager, Team Northern Construction says,

“Team Northern Construction is a local company who specialise in undertaking alteration and 

refurbishment work to existing buildings particularly where special measures and a personal touch are required. The Company strives to ensure the work meets the client’s exact standards and the character of the building is retained. We are delighted to be working with Cumbria County Council on this high profile project and expect the work to take six to eight months to complete.” running by late summer or early autumn 2004, ensuring we better meet the needs of young people in care in the area.”   

County Councillor John Mallinson, Cabinet spokesman for Care and Social Services says,

“I am absolutely delighted that work has finally begun on site to transform Hawthwaite House into a much needed facility for children and young people in Barrow.  Children and young 

people are in the care of the Council are there because their parents are unable to care for them or   it’s unsafe to leave them at home. They   benefit where possible from keeping the connections they have with friends, school and the local community.     For children in need of residential care in Barrow this has been impossible due to the lack of a residential facility.     Some children are placed in Kendal but some are as far away as Carlisle.      I   anticipate the home being up and   

Martin Birch is the new Manager of Hawthwaite House.  He explains his role in preparing for the opening of the facility now the project is back on track.  Martin says, 

“I am very pleased that the work on the home has finally started, I believe that it is vital that we are able to provide a service to local children, so that they are able to achieve their full potential. We have now been able to recruit a full management team with a wealth of experience, to provide good quality care and support to local children and their families. As a team we are working towards the registration of the home in line with the ‘Care Standards’ regulations. Moreover, we are working intensively with local agencies and young people in the looked after system to ensure we get things right. Our vision is to have something that local people can be part of and can be proud of the service that we provide. We are looking to recruit further staff for vacancies in the home and will be advertising locally in the New Year”.