FUNDING for major improvements to the Island’s secure children’s unit has been earmarked within the government’s proposed Budget.
Children’s Minister Richard Vibert said that a feasibility survey would be carried out to enable a “long-term refurbishment” of the Greenfields site.
Unveiled on Tuesday, the government’s intended 2026-2029 Budget includes an estimated spend of £335,000 next year on specialist care as part of the Loving Homes Estate programme.
It states that the funding will enable “initial improvements” to be made to the Greenfields and Oakside specialist care facilities.
In a statement, Mr Vibert said: “The funding sought in this government’s plan is to pay for a feasibility survey of Greenfields secure home to enable long-term refurbishment of the site.”
He continued: “This is to enable development of educational facilities, as well as creating outside spaces which would enable vocational learning and development opportunities.
“Additional in-year funding is also being utilised to fund critical refurbishments of the secure home in 2025-2026, to carry out essential works, including refurbished bedrooms and secure doors, upgraded security facilities and extended family space, as well as upgrading the external recreational space.”
Between 2021 and 2022, three highly critical reports into the Island’s secure children’s unit were released while an urgent improvement notice was served on the unit to address the three action points.
The Budget describes the Loving Homes Estate as “part of a wider whole-system change intended to significantly expand and modernise Jersey’s residential care capacity, ensuring children and young people have safe, stable homes that meet their needs”.
It explains that this includes investment in specialist provisions, such as the secure children’s home.
